H.R. 938 would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to restore certain provisions relating to the definition of aggravated felony and other provisions as they were before the enactment of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.
Detailed Summary
Keeping Families Together Act of 2009 - Amends the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 (Act) to repeal the provision amending the definition of "aggravated felony," and restore provisions of law amended by such provision as if it had not been enacted, including residency-or status-related rights of an affected legal alien.
Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise detention of criminal alien provisions, effective as if included in the Act.
Repeals, as if included in the Act: (1) certain provisions respecting termination of continuous presence or physical presence in the United States; and (2) the definition of "conviction."
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to admit certain lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens returning to the United States who temporarily proceeded abroad voluntarily and not under an order of deportation or removal, effective as of a specified date, as if certain sections of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 and the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 had not been enacted.
Revises provisions respecting judicial review of removal orders.
Requires the Secretary to establish a post-proceeding removal relief process for affected aliens.
Status of the Legislation
Latest Major Action: 3/16/2009: Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
Points in Favor
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Points Against
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Visitor Comments
Denise Campos
July 22, 2009, 7:31pm (report abuse)I hope this bill will help with my particular situation. My husband and I married in 1986, and he got a felony charge for possession of cocaine ($20.00 worth) and we were denied familiy status because of this. We have 3 children. He was deported and I have had to raise our children by myself. My husband and I are still married, still keep in touch and it is our hope that he can someday come home to us legally. In fact, my daughter and I just went to visit him, and we are hoping and praying that with a new president that change will happen.