{"bill":{"id":"119-hr-2672","congress":119,"type":"HR","number":2672,"title":"Religious Workforce Protection Act","originChamber":"House","introducedDate":"2025-04-07","sponsors":[{"bioguideId":"C001126","fullName":"Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]","party":"R","state":"OH","district":15}],"cosponsorsCount":35,"latestAction":{"actionDate":"2025-04-07","text":"Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary."},"policyArea":"Immigration","subjects":[],"actions":[{"date":"2025-04-07","text":"Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"House floor actions","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-04-07","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false},{"date":"2025-04-07","text":"Introduced in House","type":"IntroReferral","chamber":"Library of Congress","hasVote":false}],"summary":"<p><strong>Religious Workforce Protection Act</strong></p><p>This bill allows the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to extend the nonimmigrant visa status of certain religious workers.</p><p>Under current law, if specified conditions are met, nonimmigrant religious workers may receive a visa for a period not to exceed five years. The bill allows&nbsp;DHS to grant an extension until the individual’s application for adjustment of status to permanent resident or an immigrant visa has been processed and a decision has been made. To be eligible for the extension, the individual must be (1) the beneficiary of a certain type of immigrant petition, and (2) eligible for such immigrant status&nbsp;absent the application of certain numerical limitations.</p><p>Such individuals who have pending adjustment of status applications are also granted certain job&nbsp;flexibilities, such as the ability to change employers. Individuals who have previously departed the U.S. due to the expiration of their visa are exempt from the one-year foreign residence requirement to renew their visa.</p>","updateDate":"2026-02-19T19:41:25Z"},"markets":[],"stateBills":[],"meta":{"sources":["congress.gov"],"latencyMs":610,"ts":"2026-04-19T10:16:36.622Z"},"nextActions":{"inspect":[],"related":[{"description":"Search related legislation","method":"GET","url":"/api/public/query-gov?q=Religious%20Workforce%20Protection%20Act"}]}}