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Iraqi Scientists Immigration Act of 2002

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Oct 8, 2002

Iraqi Scientists Liberation Act of 2002 - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) Iraq must give the United Nations and International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors complete site access; (2) inspections should include unmonitored and protected interviews with appropriate persons; and (3) key scientists, engineers, and technicians in Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction programs should be encouraged to leave and provide information to governments and international institutions that are committed to such programs' dismantling.Provides that whenever the Secretary of State and the Attorney General jointly determine that the admission into the United States of an eligible alien is in the public interest, the alien and any immediate family members shall be eligible for U.S. permanent residence admission.Describes such alien as one who: (1) is a scientist, engineer, or technician who has worked at any time since December 16, 1998, in an Iraqi program to produce weapons of mass destruction or the means to deliver them; (2) is in possession of critical information concerning any such program; (3) is willing to provide, or has provided, such information to inspectors of the United Nations, inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency, or any U.S. department, agency, or other entity; and (4) will be or has been placed in danger as a result of providing such information.Limits: (1) entrants to 500 aliens, with no limit on immediate family members; and (2) program authority to 36 months.Amends the Defense Against Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996 to revise the definition of "weapon of mass destruction." .

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Who introduced it

Sen. Biden, Joseph R., Jr. [D-DE] · D–DE

Committees

  • Judiciary Committee
  • Judiciary Committee
1 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

  1. Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

  2. Received in the House.

  3. Message on Senate action sent to the House.

  4. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  5. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

  6. Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S11772-11773)

  7. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  8. Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

  9. Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S10122-10123)

  10. Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S10121-10122)

  11. Introduced in Senate

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

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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