H.R. 549 — Reported in House

IB Union Calendar No. 128 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 549 [Report No. 116–168] IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES January 15, 2019 Mr. Soto (for himself and Mr. Diaz-Balart) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary July 23, 2019Additional sponsors: Mrs. Murphy, Ms. Shalala, Ms. Wasserman Schultz, Ms. Mucarsel-Powell, Mr. Hastings, Miss González-Colón of Puerto Rico, Mr. Sires, Mr. Crist, Mr. Engel, Mr. Brendan F. Boyle of Pennsylvania, Mr. Levin of Michigan, Ms. Castor of Florida, Mr. Deutch, Ms. Haaland, Mr. Moulton, Ms. Scanlon, Mr. Trone, Mr. Evans, Ms. Norton, Ms. Velázquez, Ms. Wild, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Bonamici, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Dean, Mr. García of Illinois, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Cicilline, Ms. McCollum, Mr. Smith of New Jersey, and Mr. Suozzi July 23, 2019 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on January 15, 2019 A BILL To designate Venezuela under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit nationals of Venezuela to be eligible for temporary protected status under such section, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019. 2. Designation for purposes of granting temporary protected status (a) Designation (1) In general For purposes of section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a), Venezuela shall be treated as if it had been designated under subsection (b)(1)(C) of that section, subject to the provisions of this section. (2) Period of designation The initial period of the designation referred to in paragraph (1) shall be for the 18-month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act. (b) Aliens eligible As a result of the designation made under subsection (a), an alien who is a national of Venezuela is deemed to satisfy the requirements under paragraph (1) of section 244(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)), subject to paragraph (3) of such section, if the alien— (1) has been continuously physically present in the United States since the date of the enactment of this Act; (2) is admissible as an immigrant, except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2)(A) of such section, and is not ineligible for temporary protected status under paragraph (2)(B) of such section; and (3) registers for temporary protected status in a manner established by the Secretary of Homeland Security. (c) Consent to travel abroad (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall give prior consent to travel abroad, in accordance with section 244(f)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(f)(3)), to an alien who is granted temporary protected status pursuant to the designation made under subsection (a) if the alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security that emergency and extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the alien require the alien to depart for a brief, temporary trip abroad. (2) Treatment upon return An alien returning to the United States in accordance with an authorization described in paragraph (1) shall be treated as any other returning alien provided temporary protected status under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a). July 23, 2019 Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed