H.R. 8793 — Introduced in House

I 116th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 8793 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES November 19, 2020Ms. Velázquez (for herself, Mr. Sires, Mr. McGovern, Mrs. Watson Coleman, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Meng, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, Ms. Escobar, Ms. Norton, Mr. Hastings, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Titus, Ms. Garcia of Texas, Mrs. Torres of California, Mr. Welch, Mrs. Demings, Mr. Takano, and Mr. Pallone) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To designate Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Hurricane Eta Relief Act of 2020. 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), the countries described in paragraph (2) shall be treated as if each had been designated under subsection (b)(1)(B) of that section, subject to the provisions of this section. (2) Countries The countries described in this paragraph are the following: (A) Nicaragua. (B) Honduras. (C) Guatemala. (3) 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 any country described in paragraph (2) 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).