Number:  112-22
Date:  September 14, 2012

House 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 September 13, 2012, the House passed without amendment S.3245, by a vote of 412 - 3.  The Senate passed the measure on August 2, 2012 (see Legislative Bulletin 112-18) .  The bill now moves to the President for his signature.  The bill reauthorizes a number of expiring immigration and visa programs for a period of three years, until September 30, 2015.

Following are provisions of interest to SSA.

  • Would extend the E-Verify program for an additional 3 years, until September 30, 2015. 
  • Would extend for the same 3-year period, the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the Special Immigrant Nonminister Religious Worker Program, and the Conrad State 30 J-1 Visa Waiver Program.

As under current law, through these programs the Department of Homeland Security may grant employment authorization to certain aliens who may then be eligible for a Social Security number.