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HR 4319 116th Congress House

Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2019

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the annual numerical limitation on U visas, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant wo… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate the annual numerical limitation on U visas, to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant work authorization to aliens with a pending application for nonimmigrant status under subparagraph (U) or (T) of section 101(a)(15) of such Act, and for other purposes.

Introduced: September 12, 2019 Introduced by: Panetta, Jimmy Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Immigration Crime victimsCrimes against womenDetention of personsDomestic violence and child abuse
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Foreign laborHuman traffickingImmigrant health and welfareImmigration status and proceduresViolent crimeVisas and passports
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 2, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
Sep 12, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Sep 12, 2019
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 2, 2019

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2019

This bill provides protections for certain aliens who are victims of crimes and violence.

The bill removes the annual cap on the number of visas issued to aliens who are victims of certain serious crimes and are likely to be helpful to law enforcement in prosecuting such crimes (U visas). Work authorization shall be granted to an alien with a pending application for (1) a U visa, (2) a T visa (for victims of severe human trafficking), or (3) cancellation of removal on the basis of the alien being subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse, parent, or fiancé.

Removal shall be stayed and detention shall be prohibited for an alien with a pending application for (1) a T or U visa; (2) employment authorization for a battered spouse of certain types of nonimmigrants; (3) cancellation of removal or adjustment of status on the basis of the alien being subjected to extreme cruelty by a spouse, parent, or fiancé; (4) temporary protected status; or (5) relief under the Violence Against Women Act.

 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4319: Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2019. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4319/
MLA
"H.R. 4319: Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2019." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4319/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4319, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4319/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4319: Immigrant Witness and Victim Protection Act of 2019](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-4319/)
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