HR-3431 : Still Just a Bill


American Families United Act - States that nothing in this Act shall be construed to enable the Attorney General (DOJ) or the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to expand his or her discretionary authority beyond a case-by-case basis, or to provide legalization or nationalization of persons covered under this Act.

Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to revise waiver of inadmissibility requirements, among other things waiving inadmissibility for: (1) certain persons who entered the United States before age 16 who have earned a degree from a U.S. institution of higher education, (2) false claims of U.S. citizenship by persons under age 18 or lacking mental competence to knowingly misrepresent a claim, and (3) false claims of U.S. citizenship if inadmissibility would create family separation hardship for the alien (including a self-petitioner under the Violence Against Women Act) or for a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident family member.

Authorizes parents of U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to apply for a waiver of inadmissibility for unlawful presence.

Places a three-year limit on immigration-related misrepresentations rendering aliens inadmissible.

Revises the definition "conviction" for INA purposes.

Authorizes an immigration judge in specified circumstances, including family separation hardship, but with certain exceptions, to decline to order an alien removed, deported, or excluded and terminate related proceedings or grant permission to reapply for admission or for relief from removal.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2014-01-09CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.House committee actions
2013-10-30IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.House floor actions
2013-10-30IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Immigration
Related Subjects
  • Administrative remedies
  • Border security and unlawful immigration
  • Citizenship and naturalization
  • Family relationships
  • Foreign labor
  • Fraud offenses and financial crimes
  • Higher education
  • Immigration status and procedures
  • Judicial review and appeals
  • Temporary and part-time employment
  • Visas and passports
Related Geographic Entities
Related Organizations
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of Justice

Related Bills

See Related Bills