[111th Congress Public Law 306] [From the U.S. Government Printing Office] [[Page 124 STAT. 3280]] Public Law 111-306 111th Congress An Act To require the accreditation of English language training programs, and for other purposes. <<NOTE: Dec. 14, 2010 - [S. 1338]>> Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. ACCREDITATION OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING PROGRAMS. (a) In General.--Section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended-- (1) in paragraph (15)(F)(i), by striking ``a language'' and inserting ``an accredited language''; and (2) by adding at the end the following: ``(52) <<NOTE: Definition.>> The term `accredited language training program' means a language training program that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.''. (b) Effective <<NOTE: 8 USC 1101 note.>> Date.-- (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), the amendments made by subsection (a) shall-- (A) take effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (B) <<NOTE: Applicability.>> apply with respect to applications for a nonimmigrant visa under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i)) that are filed on or after the effective date described in subparagraph (A). (2) Temporary exception.-- (A) In <<NOTE: Time period.>> general.-- Notwithstanding section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by subsection (a), during the 3-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, an alien seeking to enter the United States to pursue a course of study at a language training program that has been certified by the Secretary of Homeland Security and has not been accredited or denied accreditation by an entity described in section 101(a)(52) of such Act may be granted a nonimmigrant visa under such section 101(a)(15)(F)(i). (B) Additional requirement.--An alien may not be granted a nonimmigrant visa under subparagraph (A) if the sponsoring institution of the language training program to which the alien seeks to enroll does not-- (i) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> submit an application for the accreditation of such program to a regional or national accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary of Education within [[Page 124 STAT. 3281]] 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act; and (ii) comply with the applicable accrediting requirements of such agency. Approved December 14, 2010. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1338: --------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 156 (2010): Sept. 27, considered and passed Senate. Dec. 1, considered and passed House. <all>