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H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2009

Introduced: April 23, 2009 Introduced by: Durbin, Richard J. Democratic · Illinois See on congress.gov
This bill died when the 111th Congress ended
It never became law before the 111th Congress (2009–2010) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 23, 2009
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4689-4693)
Apr 23, 2009
Introduced in Senate
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise employer and government provisions regarding H-1B (specialty occupation) and L-1 (intracompany transfer) nonimmigrant aliens.

Amends H-1B employer application requirements to: (1) revise wage determination requirements; (2) require Internet posting and description of employment positions; (3) lengthen U.S. worker displacement protection: (4) apply certain requirements to all H-1B employers rather than only to H-1B dependent employers; (5) prohibit employer advertising that makes a position available only to, or gives priority to, H-1B nonimmigrants; and (6) limit the number of H-1B and L-1 employees that an employer of 50 or more workers in the United States may hire.

Revises application review provisions. Authorizes the Department of Labor (DOL) to: (1) investigate applications for fraud; and (2) conduct H-1B compliance audits.

Directs DOL to conduct annual audits of companies with large numbers of H-1B workers.

Authorizes DOL to initiate H-1B employer application investigations.

Increases employer penalties.

Revises provisions regarding initiation of employer violation investigations by DOL.

Provides for information sharing between DOL and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding employer noncompliance.

Authorizes DOL to hire 200 additional employees to administer H-1B programs.

Prohibits, with a specified waiver by the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS), an employer from hiring an L-1 nonimmigrant for more than one year who will: (1) serve in a capacity involving specialized knowledge; and (2) be stationed primarily at the worksite of an employer other than the petitioning employer.

Specifies L-1: (1) employer petition requirements for employment at a new office; (2) wage rates and working conditions; and (3) employer penalties.

Authorizes the Secretary to initiate an L-1 employer investigation.

Requires a report to Congress regarding the L-1 blanket petition process.

What's happening now April 23, 2009

Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S4689-4693)

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 887: H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2009. 111th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-887/
MLA
"S. 887: H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2009." 111th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-887/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 887, 111th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-887/.
Markdown link
[S. 887: H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act of 2009](https://openamerica.io/bill/111-S-887/)
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