Number:104-21
Date: March 29, 1996

HOUSE PASSES IMMIGRATION REFORM LEGISLATION

On March 21, 1996, the House passed H.R. 2202, Immigration in the National Interest Act, by a vote of 333-87. There was one amendment that affected a Social Security-related provision as reported by the House Committee on the Judiciary. (See Legislative Bulletin No. 104-12.)

The employment authorization provision requires the Attorney General, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Security, to test an employment eligibility confirmation process for all employers in 5 of the 7 States with the highest population of unauthorized aliens. The amendment that passed on the House floor allows employers to voluntarily participate in the employment eligibility confirmation program.