To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the annual numerical limitation on visas for certain immigrants, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant work authorization to certain immigrants with a pending application for nonimmigrant status under such Act, and for other purposes.
The Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2024 removes annual visa caps for immigrants who are crime victims or survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual assault, including those seeking U visas, T visas, and special immigrant juvenile status. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to grant work authorization to crime survivors and abuse victims within 180 days of filing their applications, allowing them to support themselves while their cases are pending. It also prohibits the deportation of these individuals until their applications are fully decided and creates a presumption against their detention, unless the government can prove by clear and convincing evidence that they pose a flight risk or safety threat. Additionally, the legislation strengthens privacy protections by restricting how government agencies can use information provided in these applications and requires the Attorney General, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Homeland Security to annually report on training and enforcement related to these privacy violations. The bill aims to address how abusers exploit the immigration system to maintain control over victims and remove barriers that prevent crime survivors from seeking legal protection and support.
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