Number:  112-18
Date:  August 6, 2012

The Senate Passes S. 3245
To extend by 3 years the authorization of the EB-5 Regional Center Program,
the E-Verify Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious
 Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program.

On August 2, 2012, the Senate passed S. 3245 by unanimous consent.  The bill would reauthorize several Department of Homeland Security (DHS) pilot programs through September 30, 2015.  The bill now moves to the House for consideration.

S. 3245 would temporarily reauthorize the following pilot programs of interest to SSA:

• The E-Verify program, a voluntary electronic employment eligibility verification system; and



• The Special Immigrant Non-Minister Religious Worker Program, through which certain religious workers may apply for immigrant visas.