Immigration of Religious Workers: Background and Legislation

Publication Date: September 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Culture and religion; Law and ethics

Type:

Abstract:

A provision in immigration law that allows for the admission of immigrants to perform religious work is scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2003. Although the provision has a broad base of support, some have expressed concern that the provision is vulnerable to fraud. The foreign religious worker must be a member of a religious denomination that has a bona fide nonprofit, religious organization in the United States, and must have been in the religious vocation, professional work, or other religious work continuously for at least 2 years. Bills (H.R. 2152/S. 1580) to extend the religious worker provision through September 30, 2008, have been introduced in both chambers. The House passed H.R. 2152 on September 17, 2003. This report will be updated as legislative activity warrants.