April 19, 2005

A Possible Resolution to EB3 Retrogression

On April 19, 2005, the Senate unanimously consented to and passed a measure sponsored by Senators Schumer (D-NY), Hutchison (R-TX) and Kennedy (D-MA) that would recapture EB-3 numbers lost from FY 2001-2004 due to processing delays. 50% of these numbers would be allocated to Schedule A occupations. However, since this measure was not included in the House-passed supplemental, it will be discussed when the House and Senate conferees meet to resolve differences between the two bills. AILA will urge the House to recede to the Senate on the EB-3 relief bill.

H-2B Relief: The Senate passed by an impressive vote of 94-6 the "Save Our Small and Seasonal Businesses Act of 2005" (S. 352), introduced by Senators Mikulski (D-MD) and Gregg (R-NH). (The earlier cloture vote on this measure also succeeded by an impressive margin: 83-17). AILA strongly supported this measure that provides short term H-2B relief. This is an important victory and will be helpful as we move on to comprehensive reform.

AILA expects that the House and Senate conferees will meet very quickly in the next day or two and the H-2B relief, and EB-3 relief will be subject to conference negotiations.

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