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H.R. 2672: Religious Workforce Protection Act

The Religious Workforce Protection Act aims to modify certain immigration rules specifically concerning nonimmigrant religious workers who are facing delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence status in the United States. Here’s a breakdown of what the bill would accomplish:

Extension of Nonimmigrant Status

The bill permits religious workers, who are awaiting processing of their applications for immigrant visas, to apply for an extension of their nonimmigrant status. Specifically, it allows for the following:

If a religious worker is the main beneficiary or a dependent of a visa petition (specifically for preference status related to religious occupation) that has been filed, they can apply for this extension.
The Department of Homeland Security has the authority to grant this extension until a decision is made on their application for permanent resident status.

Limited Job Flexibility

The bill also includes provisions that provide religious workers with more job flexibility. It allows certain religious workers with delayed lawful permanent residence applications to change jobs or adjust their employment conditions without facing typical restrictions that apply under immigration law.

Exemption from Foreign Residence Requirement

The legislation provides an exemption from the foreign residence requirement, which typically mandates that certain visa holders must live outside the U.S. for one year following their visa expiration. For those religious workers affected by the aforementioned delays and who left the U.S. due to the five-year limitation on their nonimmigrant status, this requirement would not apply.

Amendments to Existing Immigration Provisions

The bill makes specific amendments to existing sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to include these new provisions regarding extensions of status and exemptions for affected religious workers.

Overall Impact

The intent of the bill is to address the challenges faced by religious workers in the immigration process, particularly those who have experienced long wait times and backlogs in obtaining lawful permanent residence. By allowing for extensions of their nonimmigrant status and providing flexibility in employment, the bill seeks to support the religious community in the United States.