§ 1184. Admission of nonimmigrants

Pub. L. 106–313, title I, § 104(c), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1253, provided that: “Notwithstanding section 214(g)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(4)), any alien who—“(1) is the beneficiary of a petition filed under section 204(a) of that Act [8 U.S.C. 1154(a)] for a preference status under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(b) of that Act [8 U.S.C. 1153(b)]; and “(2) is eligible to be granted that status but for application of the per country limitations applicable to immigrants under those paragraphs, may apply for, and the Attorney General may grant, an extension of such nonimmigrant status until the alien’s application for adjustment of status has been processed and a decision made thereon.”

Special Provisions in Cases of Lengthy Adjudications

Pub. L. 106–313, title I, § 106(a), (b), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1253, 1254, as amended by Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11030A, Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1836, provided that: “(a) Exemption From Limitation.—The limitation contained in section 214(g)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(4)) with respect to the duration of authorized stay shall not apply to any nonimmigrant alien previously issued a visa or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)), if 365 days or more have elapsed since the filing of any of the following:“(1) Any application for labor certification under section 212(a)(5)(A) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(5)(A)), in a case in which certification is required or used by the alien to obtain status under section 203(b) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)). “(2) A petition described in section 204(b) of such Act (3 U.S.C. 1154(b)) [8 U.S.C. 1154(b)] to accord the alien a status under section 203(b) of such Act. “(b) Extension of H–1B Worker Status.—The Attorney General shall extend the stay of an alien who qualifies for an exemption under subsection (a) in one-year increments until such time as a final decision is made—“(1) to deny the application described in subsection (a)(1), or, in a case in which such application is granted, to deny a petition described in subsection (a)(2) filed on behalf of the alien pursuant to such grant; “(2) to deny the petition described in subsection (a)(2); or “(3) to grant or deny the alien’s application for an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence.”

Exclusion of Certain “J” Nonimmigrants From Numerical Limitations Applicable To “H–1B” Nonimmmigrants

Pub. L. 106–313, title I, § 114, Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1262, provided that: “The numerical limitations contained in section 102 of this title [amending this section and enacting provisions set out as a note above] shall not apply to any nonimmigrant alien granted a waiver that is subject to the limitation contained in paragraph (1)(B) of the first section 214(l) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1184(l)] (relating to restrictions on waivers).”

Improving Count of H–1B and H–2B Nonimmigrants

Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title IV, § 416, Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–655, as amended by Pub. L. 109–13, div. B, title IV, § 406, May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 320, provided that: “(a) Ensuring Accurate Count.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such steps as are necessary to maintain an accurate count of the number of aliens subject to the numerical limitations of section 214(g)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)) who are issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status. “(b) Revision of Petition Forms.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall take such steps as are necessary to revise the forms used for petitions for visas or nonimmigrant status under clause (i)(b) or (ii)(b) of section 101(a)(15)(H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)) so as to ensure that the forms provide the Secretary of Homeland Security with sufficient information to permit the Secretary of Homeland Security accurately to count the number of aliens subject to the numerical limitations of section 214(g)(1) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(g)(1)) who are issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status. “(c) Provision of Information.—“(1) Quarterly notification.—Beginning not later than 60 days after the first day of fiscal year 1999, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall notify, on a quarterly basis, the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate of the numbers of aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)] during the preceding 3-month period. “(2) Annual submission.—Beginning with fiscal year 2000, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall submit on an annual basis, to the Committees on the Judiciary of the United States House of Representatives and the Senate, information on the countries of origin and occupations of, educational levels attained by, and compensation paid to, aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)] during the previous fiscal year. With respect to the first submission under this paragraph, the information shall relate solely to aliens provided nonimmigrant status after the date that is 60 days after the date on which final regulations are issued to carry out section 412(a) [amending section 1182 of this title]. “(3) Specification of number of petitions filed by certain employers.—Each notification under paragraph (1), and each submission under paragraph (2), shall include the number of aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status pursuant to petitions filed by institutions or organizations described in section 212(p)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1182(p)(1)] (as added by section 415 of this title). “(d) Provision of Information.—“(1) Semiannual notification.—Beginning not later than March 1, 2006, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall notify, on a semiannual basis, the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate of the number of aliens who during the preceding 1-year period—“(A) were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b)); or “(B) had such a visa or such status be revoked or otherwise terminated. “(2) Annual submission.—Beginning in fiscal year 2007, the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of State shall submit, on an annual basis, to the Committees on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives and the Senate—“(A) information on the countries of origin of, occupations of, and compensation paid to aliens who were issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(b)) during the previous fiscal year; “(B) the number of aliens who had such a visa or such status expire or be revoked or otherwise terminated during each month of such fiscal year; and “(C) the number of aliens who were provided nonimmigrant status under such section during both such fiscal year and the preceding fiscal year. “(3) Information maintained by state.—If the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that information maintained by the Secretary of State is required to make a submission described in paragraph (1) or (2), the Secretary of State shall provide such information to the Secretary of Homeland Security upon request.”

Reporting on Studies Showing Economic Impact of H–1B Nonimmigrant Increase

Pub. L. 105–277, div. C, title IV, § 418(b), Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–657, provided that: “The Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Labor, and any other member of the Cabinet, shall promptly report to the Congress the results of any reliable study that suggests, based on legitimate economic analysis, that the increase effected by section 411(a) of this title [amending this section] in the number of aliens who may be issued visas or otherwise provided nonimmigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)] has had an impact on any national economic indicator, such as the level of inflation or unemployment, that warrants action by the Congress.”

Deadline for First Report With Respect to Petitions

Pub. L. 102–232, title II, § 207(c)(2), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1742, provided that: “The first report under section 214(c)(8) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(8)] shall be provided not later than April 1, 1993.”

Delay Until April 1, 1992, in Application of Subsection (g)(1)(C) of This Section

See section 3 of Pub. L. 102–110, set out as a Delay Until April 1, 1992, in Implementation of Provisions Relating to Nonimmigrant Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Fashion Models note under section 1101 of this title.

Work Authorization During Pending Labor Disputes

Pub. L. 101–649, title II, § 207(c), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5026, as amended by Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 303(a)(13), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1748, provided that: “(1) In the case of an alien admitted as a nonimmigrant (other than under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a)]) and who is authorized to be employed in an occupation, if nonimmigrants constitute a majority of the members of the bargaining unit in the occupation, during the period of any strike or lockout in the occupation with the employer which strike or lockout is pending on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1990] the alien—“(A) continues to be authorized to be employed in the occupation for that employer, and “(B) is authorized to be employed in any occupation for any other employer so long as such strike or lockout continues with respect to that occupation and employer. “(2) In the case of an alien admitted as a nonimmigrant (other than under section 101(a)(15)(H)(ii)(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act) and who is authorized to be employed in an occupation, if nonimmigrants do not constitute a majority of the members of the bargaining unit in the occupation, during the period of any strike or lockout in the occupation with the employer which strike or lockout is pending on the date of the enactment of this Act the alien—“(A) is not authorized to be employed in the occupation for that employer, and “(B) is authorized to be employed in any occupation for any other employer so long as there is no strike or lockout with respect to that occupation and employer. “(3) With respect to a nonimmigrant described in paragraph (1) or (2) who does not perform unauthorized employment, any limit on the period of authorized stay shall be extended by the period of the strike or lockout, except that any such extension may not continue beyond the maximum authorized period of stay. “(4) The provisions of this subsection shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.”

Off-Campus Work Authorization for Students (F Nonimmigrants)

Pub. L. 101–649, title II, § 221, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5027, as amended by Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 303(b)(1), (2), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1748; Pub. L. 103–416, title II, § 215(a), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4315, provided that: “(a) 5-Year Provision.—With respect to work authorization for aliens admitted as nonimmigrant students described in subparagraph (F) of section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)] during the 5-year period beginning October 1, 1991, the Attorney General shall grant such an alien work authorization to be employed off-campus if—“(1) the alien has completed 1 academic year as such a nonimmigrant and is maintaining good academic standing at the educational institution, “(2) the employer provides the educational institution and the Secretary of Labor with an attestation that the employer (A) has recruited for at least 60 days for the position and (B) will provide for payment to the alien and to other similarly situated workers at a rate equal to not less than the actual wage level for the occupation at the place of employment or, if greater, the prevailing wage level for the occupation in the area of employment, and “(3) the alien will not be employed more than 20 hours each week during the academic term (but may be employed on a full-time basis during vacation periods and between academic terms). If the Secretary of Labor determines that an employer has provided an attestation under paragraph (2) that is materially false or has failed to pay wages in accordance with the attestation, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, the employer shall be disqualified from employing an alien student under this subsection. “(b) Report to Congress.—Not later than April 1, 1996, the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization and the Secretary of Labor shall prepare and submit to the Congress a report on—“(1) whether the program of work authorization under subsection (a) should be extended, and “(2) the impact of such program on prevailing wages of workers.”

Limitation on Admission of Aliens Seeking Employment in the Virgin Islands

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Attorney General not to be authorized, on or after Sept. 30, 1982, to approve any petition filed under subsec. (c) of this section in the case of importing any alien as a nonimmigrant under section 1101(a)(15)(H)(ii) of this title for employment in the Virgin Islands of the United States other than as an entertainer or as an athlete and for a period not exceeding 45 days, see section 3 of Pub. L. 97–271, set out as a note under section 1255 of this title.

Importation of Sheepherders; Termination of Quota Deductions

Quota deductions authorized by acts June 30, 1950, ch. 423, 64 Stat. 306; Apr. 9, 1952, ch. 171, 66 Stat. 50, terminated effective July 1, 1957.

Cancellation of Certain Nonimmigrant Departure Bonds

Pub. L. 85–531, July 18, 1958, 72 Stat. 375, authorized the Attorney General, upon application made not later than July 18, 1963, to cancel any departure bond posted pursuant to the Immigration Act of 1924, as amended, or the Immigration and Nationality Act [this chapter], on behalf of any refugee who entered the United States as a nonimmigrant after May 6, 1945, and prior to July 1, 1953, and who had his immigration status adjusted to that of an alien admitted for permanent residence pursuant to any public or private law.