A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "SERVICE for America Act" creates a new "W-visa" for nonimmigrants working in public service jobs. These visas last for three years and can be extended once for another three years. The bill allows certain individuals who entered the U.S. as children, including DACA recipients, to apply for these visas if they meet specific residency and employment requirements. Additionally, it provides a path to permanent resident status for those in public service jobs who meet certain criteria. The act also expands AmeriCorps eligibility to include DACA recipients and certain others.
Yes· 3 of 26
- Scored +10
Would immigrants be better off under this?
Directly provides new visa categories and a path to permanent residency.
- Scored +9
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
Directly benefits DACA recipients and those who entered as children.
- Scored +9
Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this?
Significant positive impact due to the high number of DACA recipients in this demographic.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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New Visa Opportunities: Section 2(b) allows eligible nonimmigrants to obtain W-visa status for three years, with a possible three-year extension, provided they work in public service.
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Employment Authorization: Section 2(b)(5) grants employment authorization to the W-visa holder, as well as their spouse and children.
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Path to Permanent Residency: Section 3(a) allows specific individuals, such as DACA recipients or those with W-visas, to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents if they have worked in public service for at least two years and meet residency requirements.
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Protection from Removal: Section 3(a)(ii)(iii) ensures that no alien can be detained or removed while their application for permanent residency under this subsection is pending.
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Expanded Service Opportunities: Section 4 makes DACA recipients and certain others eligible to participate in AmeriCorps.
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Humanitarian Waivers: Sections 2(b)(4) and 3(a)(ii) allow the Secretary to waive certain grounds of inadmissibility for family unity, humanitarian purposes, or the public interest.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Strict Eligibility Requirements: Section 2(b)(3) requires applicants to have been physically present in the U.S. for at least five years and to be employed in, or have an offer for, a specific "public service job," which may limit who can actually benefit.
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Limited Duration of Status: Section 2(b)(2) limits the W-visa to an initial three-year term with only one possible extension, meaning individuals may face status uncertainty after six years.
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Specific Job Restrictions: Section 2(a) limits the benefits to a specific list of "public service jobs," meaning those working in other essential but non-listed fields cannot access these visas.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would immigrants be better off under this? — Directly provides new visa categories and a path to permanent residency. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Significant positive impact due to the high number of DACA recipients in this demographic. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Directly benefits DACA recipients and those who entered as children. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides legal work authorization and path to residency for marginalized populations. Would children be better off under this? — Provides status for children of nonimmigrants and authorization for children of W-visa holders. Would students be better off under this? — Allows DACA recipients to participate in AmeriCorps. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Includes faculty at Tribal Colleges and Universities in eligibility. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Increases workforce specifically for disability services. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Supports rural public service jobs and Tribal Colleges. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Increases workforce for elderly public services. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Broadly positive impact on immigrant communities. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Broadly positive impact on immigrant communities. Would men be better off under this? — Positive impact on those working in law enforcement and emergency management. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Provides a path for those meeting the 7-year residency requirement. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Positive systemic effect by filling public service labor shortages. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Improves staffing of urban public health and education services. Would women be better off under this? — Positive impact on those working in nursing and early childhood education.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — Creates a clear pathway to permanent residency for W-visa holders and DACA recipients. Does this make child care cost less? — Increases the legal workforce for early childhood education and childcare. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Provides employment authorization for nonimmigrants and their families. Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Specifically identifies public service for individuals with disabilities as a qualifying job. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Provides legal pathways for populations often disproportionately affected by immigration status.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — Creates a legal framework for nonimmigrants to work in public service sectors. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increases the legal workforce in critical public service sectors.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Increases the availability of nurses and healthcare practitioners through the W-visa.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Prohibits detention or removal while permanent resident applications are pending.
- 9/3/2026
- Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina