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Immigration Stabilization Act of 1994

Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5745-5747)

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 10, 1994

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Admission of Immigrants Title II: Admission of Refugees Title III: Asylum Reform Title IV: Criminal Aliens Title V: Financial Responsibility Title VI: Employer Sanctions Title VII: Border Security Title VIII: Alien Smuggling Title IX: Effective Date Immigration Stabilization Act of 1994 - Title I: Admission of Immigrants - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to reduce annual immigration ceilings. (Sec. 103) Revises immigration preference allocations. Title II: Admission of Refugees - Limits nonemergency refugee admissions in any fiscal year to 50,000. (Sec. 202) Requires congressional approval for additional emergency refugee admissions. (Sec. 203) Repeals the Cuban Adjustment Act (P.L. 94-571). Title III: Asylum Reform - Amends provisions with respect to: (1) alien inspection and exclusion by immigration officers; (2) asylum; and (3) judicial review. Title IV: Criminal Aliens - Expands the definition of "aggravated felony." (Sec. 402) Provides for the expedited deportation of certain nonpermanent resident aliens convicted of an aggravated felony. (Sec. 403) Authorizes judicial deportation for an alien convicted of a felony. (Sec. 405) Increases penalties for reentry or failure to depart. (Sec. 406) Authorizes the deportation of an alien prisoner prior to sentence completion under specified circumstances. (Sec. 407) Amends Federal criminal law to require the issuance of a judicial order of deportation in the case of an alien being sentenced for an aggravated felony. (Sec. 408) Authorizes Federal incarceration and deportation of certain State-convicted aliens. (Sec. 409) Amends Federal criminal law to increase penalties for specified visa and passport related crimes. (Sec. 410) Requires State or local law enforcement agencies to notify the district Immigration and Naturalization Service office upon the felony arrest of an alien. (Sec. 412) Authorizes the exclusion of an alien in violation of any immigration law or any Federal or State fraud law, including income tax evasion. Title V: Financial Responsibility - Authorizes the admission of an alien otherwise excludable as a public charge (as defined by this Act) if such alien has a sponsor guarantee of financial responsibility. (Sec. 503) Limits benefits, including unemployment benefits, for illegal aliens. Title VI: Employer Sanctions - Revises employer sanction provisions, including: (1) work eligibility documents; and (2) social security telephone verification. (Sec. 603) Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national electronic network linking State vital statistics records. Title VII: Border Security - Increases Border Patrol personnel levels. Establishes: (1) a border crossing fee; and (2) a Border Control Trust Fund. (Sec. 704) Amends the Act to establish increased penalties or a required pilot program for international carriers that bring in more than specified numbers of undocumented aliens. Title VIII: Alien Smuggling - Directs the Secretary of State to enter into cooperative foreign arrangements to prevent the unlawful entry of aliens into the United States. (Sec. 802) Directs the Secretary of Defense to instruct the Coast Guard with respect to preventing the illegal entry of aliens into the United States by sea. (Sec. 803) Amends Federal criminal law to bring specified alien related activities under the purview of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) provisions. (Sec. 804) Increases alien smuggling penalties. (Sec. 805) Expands forfeiture provisions for smuggling or harboring aliens. (Sec. 806) Amends Federal criminal law to authorize wiretaps for alien smuggling investigations. Title IX: Effective Date - Sets forth the effective date for provisions of this Act.

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Who introduced it

Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV] · D–NV

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
4 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

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  1. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S5745-5747)

  2. Referred to Subcommittee on Immigration and Refugee Affairs.

  3. Read twice and referred to the Committee on Judiciary.

  4. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2798-2802)

  5. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

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Related bills identified by Congress.gov

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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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