Plain Language Summary
# WISE Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (WISE) Act would expand protections for immigrants who are crime victims. Specifically, it would broaden the U visa program—which currently helps victims of crimes like human trafficking and domestic violence—to also include victims of hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse. The bill would also remove the requirement that victims help investigate or prosecute the crime to qualify. Additionally, it would guarantee work authorization for people applying for U visas (currently this is optional), and eliminate the annual cap on how many U visas can be issued. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** The bill primarily affects crime victims seeking immigration protection and their families, as well as DHS immigration enforcement agencies.
A secondary provision establishes certain protections against immigration enforcement in specific locations, though details aren't fully outlined in the summary. The changes would make it easier for vulnerable immigrants to access visa protections without needing to cooperate with law enforcement investigations. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee consideration in the House of Representatives. It was introduced by Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Washington) in the 119th Congress and has not yet been voted on by the full House.
CRS Official Summary
Working for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment Act or the WISE ActThis bill expands eligibility for U nonimmigrant visas (victims of criminal activity) and prohibits immigration enforcement activities in specified areas.Generally, U visas are for victims of specified crimes (e.g., rape, trafficking, or domestic violence) who assist with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. The bill adds hate crimes, child abuse, and elder abuse as crimes that may qualify a victim for a U visa and removes criteria related to the victim's assistance with the investigation or prosecution of the crime. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide work authorization to U visa applicants, whereas currently DHS may grant work authorization but is not required to do so.The bill also eliminates the annual numerical cap on U visas. The bill establishes a rebuttable presumption that certain individuals, including U visa applicants and T visa (victims of human trafficking) applicants, shall not be detained while the application is pending.Additionally, the bill provides immigration-related protections, such as by extending the admission period and providing work authorization, to the spouse or child of a nonimmigrant visa holder who subjected that spouse or child to battery or extreme cruelty.Further, the bill prohibits, with some exceptions for exigent circumstances, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or U.S. Customs and Border Protection from conducting immigration enforcement actions within 1,000 feet of a school, health care facility, place of worship, or other location specified in the bill.
Latest Action
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, Energy and Commerce, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.