Bill > S1298

This bill aims to provide relief for religious workers who are experiencing long delays in obtaining lawful permanent residence (green cards) in the United States. Specifically, the bill allows religious workers (R-visa holders) to extend their nonimmigrant status beyond the current 5-year limit while their immigrant visa or adjustment of status application is being processed. The bill provides job flexibility by modifying provisions that would otherwise require these workers to maintain their original job, and it exempts them from a requirement to return to their home country for one year after their initial visa expires. To qualify, religious workers must be principal or derivative beneficiaries of an immigrant petition for a special immigrant religious worker status and be eligible for immigrant status except for numerical limitations. This legislation addresses the challenges faced by religious workers who are caught in lengthy immigration backlogs, providing them with additional stability and protection while they wait for their permanent residency applications to be decided.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1298/all-info