DOJ Authorization Bill Delayed
Posted Oct 18, 2002

While many of us have been anxiously anticipating the favorable immigration provisions contained in the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Authorization Bill, the waiting must continue. As reported in our October 11, 2002 article, Senate Passes Legislation Easing H1B Extensions, both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate have passed legislation that, in part, would make it easier to extend H1B status beyond the six-year limit that is standard. The details are contained in our October 04, 2002 article, Important New Legislation Pending, available on MurthyDotCom.

As previously reported, the President had ten days to sign the legislation from the time he received it. Generally, it was assumed it would go to the White House immediately upon Senate approval October 3, 2002. However, the measure was delayed in reaching the President due to efforts to pass an accompanying "technical corrections" bill. The corrections sought are unrelated to the immigration provisions. According to sources, the legislation will be sent to the President without the technical changes if there are further, extended delays. We will follow this very important issue closely, as the results will be significant to many of our MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers.