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Committee backs bill standardizing U-Visa certifications, directs attorney general to issue guidance on "sensitive locations"
Summary
House Bill 579, addressing U-visa certification procedures and guidance for federal immigration enforcement at sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals, was amended and reported favorably by the Judiciary Committee after debate and an adopted amendment.
The House Judiciary Committee on March 14 adopted amendments and moved House Bill 579 forward. The bill has two principal parts: standardizing state procedures for certifiers handling U-visa applicants and directing the attorney general to issue guidance on immigration enforcement at so-called "sensitive locations."
Delegate Embry, who spoke to the U-visa portion, said the bill reinforces federal guidelines while recognizing local differences. She described amendments that incorporate technical corrections and two provisions from a related bill by Delegate Solomon: requiring certifiers to address non-English speakers and shortening response times for certifying agencies.
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