Faith leaders and religious groups across the United States 🇺🇸 are urging Congress to pass the Religious Workforce Protection Act, a bipartisan bill introduced in April 2025. The bill aims to stop the loss of thousands of foreign-born clergy and religious workers who face visa backlogs and risk losing their ability to serve U.S. communities.
the Religious Workforce Protection Act (Senate Bill S.1298) was introduced on April 3, 2025, by Senators Tim Kaine, Susan Collins, and Jim Risch. A companion bill was introduced in the House by Representatives Mike Carey and Richard Neal. As of July 2025, the bill is under review by the Senate Judiciary Committee. Lawmakers and faith leaders say the bill is urgently needed to address the growing problem of visa backlogs and policy changes that threaten the stability of religious communities.
What the Religious Workforce Protection Act Would Do
The main goal of the Religious Workforce Protection Act is to let foreign-born clergy and religious workers stay in the United States 🇺🇸 beyond the current five-year limit on the R-1 nonimmigrant visa. Right now, R-1 visa holders must leave the country for at least one year after five years before they can reapply. This rule disrupts religious services and community support, especially in areas where foreign-born clergy make up a large part of the workforce. For example, in Idaho, nearly 25% of clergy are foreign-born, showing how much religious organizations depend on these workers.
The bill would allow the Secretary of Homeland Security to extend R-1 visa status beyond five years for religious workers who have pending applications for permanent residency under the EB-4 visa category. This means that as long as their green card applications are being processed, these workers could stay in the United States 🇺🇸 and continue serving their communities.
Why the Bill Matters Now
Recent policy changes and visa backlogs have made it much harder for foreign-born clergy to get permanent residency. In 2024, the Diocese of Paterson filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of State and other agencies, challenging changes to the EB-4 visa program. These changes, along with slow processing times, have left many religious workers in limbo, unsure if they can stay in the country or must leave their congregations behind.
Faith leaders say the loss of foreign-born clergy would hurt not only religious services but also community outreach, counseling, and support programs. Many religious organizations, including Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and other faiths, rely on foreign-trained clergy to meet the needs of their members. The Hindu American Foundation, for example, has publicly supported the bill, saying it is vital for Hindu temples and communities that depend on religious workers from abroad.
Key Provisions of the Religious Workforce Protection Act
The Religious Workforce Protection Act includes several important changes:
- Extends R-1 visa status beyond five years for religious workers with pending green card applications under the EB-4 category.
- Lets religious workers who have already been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and U.S. embassies continue serving in their communities without interruption.
- Gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to grant these extensions until a final decision is made on the worker’s permanent residency application.
- Aims to provide a bipartisan solution to prevent the loss of thousands of clergy who are essential to religious communities across the United States 🇺🇸.
Who Supports the Bill
Religious Workforce Protection Act introduced in the Senate
Companion bill introduced in the House
EB-4 visa category extension deadline
Diocese of Paterson filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of State
Bill under review by the Senate Judiciary Committee
The bill has strong bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House. Religious organizations from many different faiths have spoken out in favor of the legislation. The Hindu American Foundation, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many local dioceses have all called for swift passage of the bill. They argue that without this change, many communities will lose vital spiritual leaders and support services.
Faith leaders like those from the Diocese of Paterson have been especially vocal, saying that visa delays and backlogs are already causing disruptions. They warn that if the law does not change soon, more clergy will be forced to leave, leaving congregations without leadership and support.
How the Bill Would Help Communities
If passed, the Religious Workforce Protection Act would have several positive effects:
- Religious workers could stay in the United States 🇺🇸 beyond the current five-year R-1 visa limit while waiting for their green card applications to be processed.
- This would prevent disruptions in religious services, community outreach, and spiritual leadership.
- Religious organizations would not have to go through the costly and time-consuming process of having clergy leave and reapply from abroad.
- The bill would also reduce administrative burdens on USCIS and the Department of State by making it clear that visa extensions are allowed in these cases.
Visa Backlogs and the Need for Reform
The EB-4 visa category, which covers religious workers seeking permanent residency, has faced growing backlogs and delays. These problems have been made worse by recent regulatory changes, some of which are being challenged in court. The Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) visa category was only extended until March 14, 2025, under a separate law, showing the need for a more permanent solution.
USCIS continues to process green card applications for religious workers, but applicants must show proof of continuous employment and a real connection to a religious organization. For more details on these requirements, readers can visit the official USCIS Religious Workers page.
Expert Opinions and Legal Context
Immigration policy experts say the Religious Workforce Protection Act addresses a narrow but important gap in immigration law. The current rules unfairly affect religious workers who serve some of the most vulnerable communities in the United States 🇺🇸. The bipartisan support for the bill shows that lawmakers recognize the social and cultural value of these workers, beyond the usual debates about immigration.
Legal experts point to the Diocese of Paterson lawsuit as a key example of why legislative action is needed. The lawsuit highlights the confusion and hardship caused by recent policy changes and visa backlogs. Faith leaders argue that the bill is essential for keeping the spiritual and social fabric of immigrant and minority religious communities intact.
What Happens Next
The Religious Workforce Protection Act is still being considered by the Senate Judiciary Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee. If it becomes law, it would mark a major change in how the United States 🇺🇸 treats foreign-born clergy and religious workers. Faith organizations and advocacy groups are continuing to lobby for quick passage, warning that every month of delay means more clergy are forced to leave their communities.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the bill’s progress is being closely watched by religious groups, immigration lawyers, and affected workers. Many hope that the bill will be expanded in the future to cover related immigration issues for religious workers.
Practical Steps for Religious Workers and Organizations
- Religious workers with R-1 visas should keep careful records of their employment and religious affiliation.
- Organizations should stay informed about the status of the Religious Workforce Protection Act and any changes to visa rules.
- For those applying for permanent residency, it is important to file Form I-360 (Petition for Amerasian, Widow(er), or Special Immigrant) and Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). Both forms and instructions can be found on the official USCIS website.
- Faith organizations can seek help from advocacy groups like the Hindu American Foundation or the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops for updates and support.
Where to Find More Information
- The USCIS Religious Workers page offers official guidance on R-1 visas and green card eligibility.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee and House Ways and Means Committee websites provide updates on the bill’s status and hearings.
- The U.S. Department of State publishes monthly visa bulletins, which include updates on immigrant visa availability for religious workers.
The Religious Workforce Protection Act represents a critical effort to keep foreign-born clergy and religious workers in the United States 🇺🇸, supporting the spiritual and social needs of communities nationwide. As the bill moves through Congress, faith leaders and advocates remain hopeful that lawmakers will act quickly to address visa backlogs and protect the ability of religious organizations to serve their members.
Learn Today
Religious Workforce Protection Act → A bipartisan U.S. bill to extend R-1 visa status for clergy with pending green card applications.
R-1 visa → A nonimmigrant visa allowing foreign-born religious workers to serve in the U.S. for up to five years.
EB-4 visa → An immigrant visa category for special immigrants, including certain religious workers seeking permanent residency.
Senate Judiciary Committee → A Senate panel that reviews legislation related to the judiciary and immigration policies.
USCIS → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the federal agency managing immigration applications and visa processes.
This Article in a Nutshell
Faith leaders urge Congress to pass the Religious Workforce Protection Act, allowing foreign-born clergy to remain legally beyond five years. The bill aims to fix visa backlogs disrupting religious communities dependent on these workers nationwide, offering a bipartisan solution to protect spiritual and social services.
— By VisaVerge.com
