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Subject: LIFE Act
The following two documents contain the full text of immigration provisions
enacted by the 106th Congress as part of the end-of-session negotiations.
The first document is the "LIFE Act", which was passed by Congress
in November as part of the Commerce, State, Justice Apropriations bill,
which is now being sent to the President for signature, and will be enacted.
The second document is the "LIFE Act Amendments", which amend
the LIFE Act and were passed by Congress on Friday, December 15, as part
of the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations bill, which also is on its
way to the President. The two documents must be read together, and compared
to the Immigration and Nationality Act, which they amend. The official
cites for these texts is listed at the top of each document.
TITLE XI--ENCOURAGING IMMIGRANT FAMILY REUNIFICATION
(TITLE XI of H.R. 5548, enacted by reference in H.R. 4942, H.Rept. 106-1003)
SEC. 1101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as--(1) the `Legal Immigration Family Equity
Act';or (2) the `LIFE Act'.
SEC. 1102. NONIMMIGRANT STATUS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF PERMANENT
RESIDENTS AWAITING THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMMIGRANT VISA; PROVISIONS AFFECTING
SUBSEQUENT ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR SUCH NONIMMIGRANTS.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 101(a)(15) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (T), by striking `or' at the end;(2) in subparagraph
(U), by striking the period at the end and inserting `;or'; and (3) by
adding at the end the following:
`(V) subject to section 214(o), an alien who is the beneficiary (including
a child of the principal alien, if eligible to receive a visa under section
203(d)) of a petition to accord a status under section 203(a)(2)(A) that
was filed with the Attorney General under section 204 on or before the
date of the enactment of the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act, if--
`(i) such petition has been pending for 3 years or more; or
`(ii) such petition has been approved, 3 years or more have elapsed since
such filing date, and--
`(I) an immigrant visa is not immediately available to the alien because
of a waiting list of applicants for visas under section 203(a)(2)(A);
or
`(II) the alien's application for an immigrant visa, or the alien's application
for adjustment of status under section 245, pursuant to the approval of
such petition, remains pending.
(b) PROVISIONS AFFECTING NONIMMIGRANT STATUS- Section 214 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
`(o)(1) In the case of a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(V)--
`(A) the Attorney General shall authorize the alien to engage in employment
in the United States during the period of authorized admission and shall
provide the alien with an `employment authorized' endorsement or other
appropriate document signifying authorization of employment; and
`(B) the period of authorized admission as such a nonimmigrant shall terminate
30 days after the date on which any of the following is denied:
`(i) The petition filed under section 204 to accord the alien a status
under section 203(a)(2)(A) (or, in the case of a child granted nonimmigrant
status based on eligibility to receive a visa under section 203(d), the
petition filed to accord the child's parent a status under section 203(a)(2)(A)).
`(ii) The alien's application for an immigrant visa pursuant to the approval
of such petition.
`(iii) The alien's application for adjustment of status under section
245 pursuant to the approval of such petition.
`(2) In determining whether an alien is eligible to be admitted to the
United States as a nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15)(V), the grounds
for inadmissibility specified in section 212(a)(9)(B) shall not apply.
`(3) The status of an alien physically present in the United States may
be adjusted by the Attorney General, in the discretion of the Attorney
General and under such regulations as the Attorney General may prescribe,
to that of a nonimmigrant under section 101(a)(15)(V), if the alien--
`(A) applies for such adjustment;
`(B) satisfies the requirements of such section; and
`(C) is eligible to be admitted to the United States, except in determining
such admissibility, the grounds for inadmissibility specified in paragraphs
(6)(A), (7), and (9)(B) of section 212(a) shall not apply.'.
(c) PROVISIONS AFFECTING PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS- Section 245 of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
`(m)(1) The status of a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(V)
who the Attorney General determines was physically present in the United
States at any time during the period beginning on July 1, 2000, and ending
on October 1, 2000, may be adjusted by the Attorney General, in the discretion
of the Attorney General and under such regulations as the Attorney General
may prescribe, to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence,
if--
`(A) the alien makes an application for such adjustment;
`(B) the alien is eligible to receive an immigrant visa and is admissible
to the United States for permanent residence, except in determining such
admissibility, the grounds for inadmissibility specified in paragraphs
(6)(A), (7), and (9)(B) of section 212(a) shall not apply; and
`(C) an immigrant visa is immediately available to the alien at the time
the alien's application is filed.
`(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to an alien who has failed (other than
through no fault of the alien or for technical reasons) to maintain continuously
a lawful status since obtaining the status of a nonimmigrant described
in section 101(a)(15)(V).
`(3) Upon the approval of an application for adjustment made under paragraph
(1), the Attorney General shall record the alien's lawful admission for
permanent residence as of the date the order of the Attorney General approving
the application for the adjustment of status is made, and the Secretary
of State shall reduce by one the number of the preference visas authorized
to be issued under sections 202 and 203 within the class to which the
alien is chargeable for the fiscal year then current.
`(4) The Attorney General may accept an application for adjustment made
under paragraph (1) only if the alien remits with such application a sum
equalling $1,000, except that such sum shall not be required from an alien
if it would not be required from the alien if the alien were applying
under subsection (i).
`(5) The sum specified in paragraph (4) shall be in addition to the fee
normally required for the processing of an application under this section.
`(6)(A) The portion of each application fee (not to exceed $200) that
the Attorney General determines is required to process an application
under this subsection shall be disposed of by the Attorney General as
provided in subsections (m), (n), and (o) of section 286.
`(B) One-half of any remaining portion of such fee shall be deposited
by the Attorney General into the Immigration Examination Fee Account established
under section 286(m), and one-half of any remaining portion of such fees
shall be deposited by the Attorney General into the Breached Bond/Detention
Fund established under section 286(r).
`(7) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as precluding a nonimmigrant
described in section 101(a)(15)(V) who is eligible for adjustment of status
under subsection (a) from applying for and obtaining adjustment under
such subsection. In the case of such an application, the alien shall be
required to remit only the fee normally required for the processing of
an application under subsection (a).'.
(d) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(1) ADMISSION OF NONIMMIGRANTS- Section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1184) is amended, in each of subsections (b) and (h), by
striking `(H)(i) or (L)' and inserting `(H)(i), (L), or (V)'.
(2) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS- Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) is amended--
(A) in each of subsections (d) and (f), by striking `under subsection
(a),' each place such term appears and inserting `under subsection (a)
or (m),'; and (B) in subsection (e)(1), by striking `subsection (a).'
and inserting `subsection (a) or (m).'.
(e) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall take effect
on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to an alien who
is the beneficiary of a classification petition filed under section 204
of the Immigration and Nationality Act on or before the date of the enactment
of this Act.
SEC. 1103. NONIMMIGRANT STATUS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF CITIZENS AWAITING
THE AVAILABILITY OF AN IMMIGRANT VISA.
(a) IN GENERAL- Section 101(a)(15)(K) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(K)) is amended to read as follows:
`(K) subject to subsections (d) and (p) of section 214, an alien who--
`(i) is the fiancee or fiance of a citizen of the United States and who
seeks to enter the United States solely to conclude a valid marriage with
the petitioner within ninety days after admission; `(ii) has concluded
a valid marriage with a citizen of the United States who is the petitioner,
is the beneficiary of a petition to accord a status under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i)
that was filed under section 204 by the petitioner, and seeks to enter
the United States to await the approval of such petition and the availability
to the alien of an immigrant visa; or `(iii) is the minor child of an
alien described in clause (i) or (ii) and is accompanying, or following
to join, the alien;'.
(b) PROVISIONS AFFECTING NONIMMIGRANT STATUS
Section 214 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184), as
amended by section 2 of this Act, is further amended by adding at the
end the following:
`(p)(1) A visa shall not be issued under the provisions of section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii)
until the consular officer has received a petition filed in the United
States by the spouse of the applying alien and approved by the Attorney
General. The petition shall be in such form and contain such information
as the Attorney General shall, by regulation, prescribe.
`(2) In the case of an alien seeking admission under section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii)
who concluded a marriage with a citizen of the United States outside the
United States, the alien shall be considered inadmissible under section
212(a)(7)(B) if the alien is not at the time of application for admission
in possession of a valid nonimmigrant visa issued by a consular officer
in the foreign state in which the marriage was concluded.
`(3) In the case of a nonimmigrant described in section 101(a)(15)(K)(ii),
and any child of such a nonimmigrant who was admitted as accompanying,
or following to join, such a nonimmigrant, the period of authorized admission
shall terminate 30 days after the date on which any of the following is
denied:
`(A) The petition filed under section 204 to accord the principal alien
status under section 201(b)(2)(A)(i).
`(B) The principal alien's application for an immigrant visa pursuant
to the approval of such petition.
`(C) The principal alien's application for adjustment of status under
section 245 pursuant to the approval of such petition.'.
(c) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS-
(1) ADMISSION OF NONIMMIGRANTS- Section 214(d) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(d)) is amended by striking `101(a)(15)(K)'
and inserting `101(a)(15)(K)(i)'.
(2) CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS- Section 216 of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a) is amended, in each of subsections
(b)(1)(B) and (d)(1)(A)(ii), by striking `214(d)' and inserting `subsection
(d) or (p) of section 214'.
(3) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS- Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1255) is amended--
(A) in subsection (d), by striking `(relating to an alien fiancee or fiance
or the minor child of such alien)'; and
(B) in subsection (e)(3), by striking `214(d)' and inserting `subsection
(d) or (p) of section 214'.
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall take effect
on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to an alien who
is the beneficiary of a classification petition filed under section 204
of the Immigration and Nationality Act before, on, or after the date of
the enactment of this Act.
SEC. 1104. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF CERTAIN CLASS ACTION PARTICIPANTS
WHO ENTERED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1982, TO THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR LAWFUL
RESIDENCE.
(a) IN GENERAL- In the case of an eligible alien described in subsection
(b), the provisions of section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1255a), as modified by subsection (c), shall apply to the
alien.
(b) ELIGIBLE ALIENS DESCRIBED- An alien is an eligible alien described
in this subsection if, before October 1, 2000, the alien filed with the
Attorney General a written claim for class membership, with or without
a filing fee, pursuant to a court order issued in the case of--
(1) Catholic Social Services, Inc. v. Meese, vacated sub nom. Reno v.
Catholic Social Services, Inc., 509 U.S. 43 (1993); or
(2) League of United Latin American Citizens v. INS, vacated sub nom.
Reno v. Catholic Social Services, Inc., 509 U.S. 43 (1993).
(c) MODIFICATIONS TO PROVISIONS GOVERNING ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS- The modifications
to section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act that apply to an
eligible alien described in subsection (b) of this section are the following:
(1) TEMPORARY RESIDENT STATUS- Subsection (a) of such section 245A shall
not apply.
(2) ADJUSTMENT TO PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS- In lieu of paragraphs (1)
and (2) of subsection (b) of such section 245A, the Attorney General shall
be required to adjust the status of an eligible alien described in subsection
(b) of this section to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent
residence if the alien meets the following requirements:
(A) APPLICATION PERIOD- The alien must file with the Attorney General
an application for such adjustment during the 12- month period beginning
on the date on which the Attorney General issues final regulations to
implement this section.
(B) CONTINUOUS UNLAWFUL RESIDENCE-
(i) IN GENERAL- The alien must establish that the alien entered the United
States before January 1, 1982, and that he or she has resided continuously
in the United States in an unlawful status since such date and through
May 4, 1988. In determining whether an alien maintained continuous unlawful
residence in the United States for purposes of this subparagraph, the
regulations prescribed by the Attorney General under section 245A(g) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act that were most recently in effect
before the date of the enactment of this Act shall apply.
(ii) NONIMMIGRANTS- In the case of an alien who entered the United States
as a nonimmigrant before January 1, 1982, the alien must establish that
the alien's period of authorized stay as a nonimmigrant expired before
such date through the passage of time or the alien's unlawful status was
known to the
Government as of such date.
(iii) EXCHANGE VISITORS- If the alien was at any time a nonimmigrant
exchange alien (as defined in section 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(J)), the alien must establish
that the alien was not subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement
of section 212(e) of such Act or has fulfilled that requirement or received
a waiver thereof.
(iv) CUBAN AND HAITIAN ENTRANTS- For purposes of this section, an alien
in the status of a Cuban and Haitian entrant described in paragraph (1)
or (2)(A) of section 501(e) of Public Law 96-422 shall be considered to
have entered the United States and to be in an unlawful status in the
United States.
(C) CONTINUOUS PHYSICAL PRESENCE-
(i) IN GENERAL- The alien must establish that the alien was continuously
physically present in the United States during the period beginning on
November 6, 1986, and ending on May 4, 1988, except that--
(I) an alien shall not be considered to have failed to maintain continuous
physical presence in the United States for purposes of this subparagraph
by virtue of brief, casual, and innocent absences from the United States;
and
(II) brief, casual, and innocent absences from the United States shall
not be limited to absences with advance parole.
(ii) ADMISSIONS- Nothing in this section shall be construed as authorizing
an alien to apply for admission to, or to be admitted to, the United States
in order to apply for adjustment of status under this section or section
245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(D) ADMISSIBLE AS IMMIGRANT- The alien must establish that the alien--
(i) is admissible to the United States as an immigrant, except as otherwise
provided under section 245A(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act;
(ii) has not been convicted of any felony or of three or more misdemeanors
committed in the United States;
(iii) has not assisted in the persecution of any person or persons on
account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social
group, or political opinion; and (iv) is registered or registering under
the Military Selective Service Act, if the alien is required to be so
registered under that Act.
(E) BASIC CITIZENSHIP SKILLS-
(i) IN GENERAL- The alien must demonstrate that the alien either--
(I) meets the requirements of section 312(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1423(a)) (relating to minimal understanding of ordinary
English and a knowledge and understanding of the history and government
of the United States); or (II) is satisfactorily pursuing a course of
study (recognized by the Attorney General) to achieve such an understanding
of English and such a knowledge and understanding of the history and government
of the United States.
(ii) EXCEPTION FOR ELDERLY OR DEVELOPMENTALLY DISABLED INDIVIDUALS- The
Attorney General may, in the discretion of the Attorney General, waive
all or part of the requirements of clause (i) in the case of an alien
who is 65 years of age or older or who is developmentally disabled.
(iii) RELATION TO NATURALIZATION EXAMINATION- In accordance with regulations
of the Attorney General, an alien who has demonstrated under clause (i)(I)
that the alien meets the requirements of section 312(a) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act may be considered to have satisfied the requirements
of that section for purposes of becoming naturalized as a citizen of the
United States under title III of such Act.
(3) TEMPORARY STAY OF REMOVAL, AUTHORIZED TRAVEL, AND EMPLOYMENT DURING
PENDENCY OF APPLICATION-
In lieu of subsections (b)(3) and (e)(2) of such section 245A, the Attorney
General shall provide that, in the case of an eligible alien described
in subsection (b) of this section who presents a prima facie application
for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent
residence under such section 245A during the application period described
in paragraph (2)(A), until a final determination on the application has
been made--
(A) the alien may not be deported or removed from the United States;
(B) the Attorney General shall, in accordance with regulations, permit
the alien to return to the United States after such brief and casual trips
abroad as reflect an intention on the part of the alien to adjust to lawful
permanent resident status and after brief temporary trips abroad occasioned
by a family obligation involving an occurrence such as the illness or
death of a close relative or other family need; and
(C) the Attorney General shall grant the alien authorization to engage
in employment in the United States and provide to that alien an `employment
authorized' endorsement or other appropriate work permit.
(4) APPLICATIONS- Paragraphs (1) through (4) of subsection (c) of such
section 245A shall not apply.
(5) CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION-
Subsection (c)(5) of such section 245A shall apply to information furnished
by an eligible alien described in subsection (b) pursuant to any application
filed under such section 245A or this section, except that the Attorney
General (and other officials and employees of the Department of Justice
and any bureau or agency thereof) may use such information for purposes
of rescinding, pursuant to section 246(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act (8 U.S.C. 1256(a)), any adjustment of status obtained by the alien.
(6) USE OF FEES FOR IMMIGRATION-RELATED UNFAIR EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES-
Notwithstanding subsection (c)(7)(C) of such section 245A, no application
fee paid to the Attorney General pursuant to this section by an eligible
alien described in subsection (b) of this section shall be available in
any fiscal year for the purpose described in such subsection (c)(7)(C).
(7) TEMPORARY STAY OF REMOVAL AND WORK AUTHORIZATION FOR CERTAIN APPLICANTS
BEFORE APPLICATION PERIOD-
In lieu of subsection (e)(1) of such section 245A, the Attorney General
shall provide that in the case of an eligible alien described in subsection
(b) of this section who is apprehended before the beginning of the application
period described in paragraph (2)(A) and who can establish a prima facie
case of eligibility to have his status adjusted under such section 245A
pursuant to this section (but for the fact that he may not apply for such
adjustment until the beginning of such period), until the alien has had
the opportunity during the first 30 days of the application period to
complete the filing of an application for adjustment, the alien--
(A) may not be deported or removed from the United States; and
(B) shall be granted authorization to engage in employment in the United
States and be provided an `employment authorized' endorsement or other
appropriate work permit.
(8) JURISDICTION OF COURTS- Effective as of November 6, 1986, subsection
(f)(4)(C) of such section 245A shall not apply to an eligible alien described
in subsection (b) of this section.
(9) PUBLIC WELFARE ASSISTANCE- Subsection (h) of such section 245A shall
not apply.
(d) APPLICATIONS FROM ABROAD- The Attorney General shall establish a
process under which an alien who has become eligible to apply for adjustment
of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence
as a result of the enactment of this section and who is not physically
present in the United States may apply for such adjustment from abroad.
(e) DEADLINE FOR REGULATIONS- The Attorney General shall issue regulations
to implement this section not later than 120 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act.
(f) ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL REVIEW-The provisions of subparagraphs
(A) and (B) of section 245A(f)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act
(8 U.S.C. 1255a(f)(4)) shall apply to administrative or judicial review
of a determination under this section or of a determination respecting
an application for adjustment of status under section 245A of the Immigration
and Nationality Act filed pursuant to this section.
(g) DEFINITION- For purposes of this section, the term `such section
245A' means section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1255a).
TITLE XV--LIFE ACT AMENDMENTS (Title XV, Division B, H.R. 5666, Miscellaneous
Appropriations of 2001, enacted by reference in H.R. 4577) -
H.Rept. 106-1033
SEC. 1501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``LIFE Act Amendments of 2000''.
SEC. 1502. SUBSTITUTION OF ALTERNATIVE ADJUSTMENT PROVISION.
(a) EXTENDED APPLICATION OF SECTION 245(i).--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Paragraph (1) of section 245(i) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1255(i)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in subparagraph (B)(i), by striking ``January 14, 1998'' and inserting
``April 30, 2001'';
(C) in subparagraph (B), by adding ``and'' at the end; and
(D) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new subparagraph:
``(C) who, in the case of a beneficiary of a petition for classification,
or an application for labor certification, described in subparagraph (B)
that was filed after January 14, 1998, is physically present in the United
States on the date of the enactment of the LIFE Act Amendments of 2000;''.
(2) MODIFICATION IN USE OF FUNDS.--Paragraph (3)(B) of such section is
amended by inserting before the period the following: ``, except that
in the case of fees attributable to applications for a beneficiary with
respect to whom a petition for classification, or an application for labor
certification, described in paragraph (1)(B) was filed after January 14,
1998, one-half of such remaining portion shall be deposited by the Attorney
General into the Immigration Examinations Fee Account established under
section 286(m)''.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.--
(1) Subsection (m) of section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act, as added by section 1102(c) of the Legal Immigration Family Equity
Act, is repealed.
(2) Section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended by
section 1102(d)(2) of the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act, is amended
by striking ``or (m)'' each place it appears.
SEC. 1503. MODIFICATION OF SECTION 1104 ADJUSTMENT PROVISIONS.
(a) INCLUSION OF ADDITIONAL CLASS.--Section 1104(b) of the Legal Immigration
Family Equity Act is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and inserting
``; or''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(3) Zambrano v.
INS, vacated sub nom. Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Zambrano,
509 U.S. 918 (1993).''.
(b) CONFORMING APPLICATION OF CONSENT PROVISION.--
Section 1104(c) of the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act is amended
by adding at the end the following new paragraph: ``(10) CONFORMING APPLICATION
OF CONSENT PROVISION.--In addition to the waivers provided in subsection
(d)(2) of such section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the
Attorney General may grant the alien a waiver of the grounds of inadmissibility
under subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 212(a)(9) of such Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(a)(9)). In granting such waivers, the Attorney General shall use
standards used in granting consent under subparagraphs (A)(iii) and (C)(ii)
of such section.''.
(c) INAPPLICABILITY OF REMOVAL ORDER REINSTATEMENT.--Section 1104 of
such Act is further amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new subsection: ``(g)
INAPPLICABILITY OF REMOVAL ORDER REINSTATEMENT.--Section 241(a)(5) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act shall not apply with respect to an
alien who is applying for adjusmtent of status under this section.''.
SEC. 1504. APPLICATION OF FAMILY UNITY PROVISIONS TO SPOUSES AND UNMARRIED
CHILDREN OF CERTAIN LIFE ACT BENEFICIARIES.
(a) IMMIGRATION BENEFITS.--Except as provided in subsection (d), in the
case of an eligible spouse or child (as described in subsection (b)),
the Attorney General--(1) shall not remove the alien on a ground specified
in paragraph (1)(A),(1)(B), (1)(C), or (3)(A) of section 237(a) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)), other than so much
of paragraph (1)(A) of such section as relates to a groundof inadmissibility
described in paragraph (2) or (3) of section 212(a) of such Act (8 U.S.C.
1182(a)); and (2) shall authorize the alien to engage in employment in
the United States during the period of time in which protection is provided
under paragraph (1) and shall provide the alien with an ``employment authorized''
endorsement or [Page: H12300] GPO's PDF other appropriate document signifying
authorization of employment.
(b) ELIGIBLE SPOUSES AND CHILDREN.--For purposes of this section, the
term ``eligible spouse or child'' means an alien who is the spouse or
unmarried child of an alien described in section 1104(b) of the Legal
Immigration Family Equity Act if the spouse or child--(1) entered the
United States before December 1, 1988; and(2) resided in the United States
on such date.
(c) PROCESS FOR RELIEF FOR ELIGIBLE SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OUTSIDE THE
UNITED STATES.
If an alien has obtained lawful permanent resident status under section
1104 of the Legal Immigration Family Equity Act and the alien has an eligible
spouse or child who is no longer physically present in the United States,
the Attorney General shall establish a process under which the eligible
spouse or child may be paroled into the United States in order to obtain
the benefits of subsection (a) unless the Attorney General finds that
the spouse or child would be inadmissible or deportable on any ground,
other than a ground for which the alien would not be subject to removal
under subsection (a)(1). An alien so paroled shall not be treated as paroled
into the United States for purposes of section 201(c)(4) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(c)(4)).
(d) EXCEPTION.--An alien is not eligible for the benefits of this section
if the Attorney General finds that--
(1) the alien has been convicted of a felony or three or more misdemeanors
in the United States; or
(2) the alien is described in section 241(b)(3)(B) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1231(b)(3)(B)).
(e) APPLICATION OF DEFINITIONS.--Except as otherwise specifically provided
in this section, the definitions contained in the Immigration and Nationality
Act shall apply in the administration of this section.
SEC. 1505. MISCELLANEOUS AMENDMENTS TO VARIOUS ADJUSTMENT AND RELIEF
ACTS.
(a) NICARAGUAN ADJUSTMENT AND CENTRAL AMERICAN RELIEF ACT.--
(1) IN GENERAL.--Section 202(a) of the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central
American Relief Act is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
``(2) RULES IN APPLYING CERTAIN PROVISIONS.--In the case of an alien described
in subsection (b) or (d) who is applying for adjustment of status under
this section--
``(A) the provisions of section 241(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act shall not apply; and
``(B) the Attorney General may grant the alien a waiver of the grounds
of inadmissibility under subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 212(a)(9)
of such Act. In granting waivers under subparagraph (B), the Attorney
General shall use standards used in granting consent under subparagraphs
(A)(iii) and (C)(ii) of such section 212(a)(9).''.
(2) PERMITTING MOTION TO REOPEN. Notwithstanding any time and number
limitations imposed by law on motions to reopen exclusion, removal, or
deportation proceedings (except limitations premised on an alien's conviction
of an aggravated felony (as defined by section 101(a) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act)), a national of Cuba or Nicaragua who has become
eligible for adjustment of status under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and
Central American Relief Act as a result of the amendments made by paragraph
(1), may file one motion to reopen exclusion, deportation, or removal
proceedings to apply for such adjustment under that Act. The scope of
any proceeding reopened on this basis shall be limited to a determination
of the alien's eligibility for adjustment of status under that Act. All
such motions shall be filed within 180 days of the date of the enactment
of this Act.
(b) HAITIAN REFUGEE IMMIGRATION FAIRNESS ACT OF 1998.--
(1) INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.--Section 902(a) of the Haitian
Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 1998 is amended--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (2) as paragraph (3); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new paragraph:
``(2) INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS.--In the case of an alien
described in subsection (b) or (d) who is applying for adjustment of status
under this section--
``(A) the provisions of section 241(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act shall not apply; and
``(B) the Attorney General may grant the alien a waiver of the grounds
of inadmissibility under subparagraphs (A) and (C) of section 212(a)(9)
of such Act.
In granting waivers under subparagraph (B), the Attorney General shall
use standards used in granting consent under subparagraphs (A)(iii) and
(C)(ii) of such section 212(a)(9).''.
(2) PERMITTING MOTION TO REOPEN.--Notwithstanding any time and number
limitations imposed by law on motions to reopen exclusion, removal, or
deportation proceedings (except limitations premised on an alien's conviction
of an aggravated felony (as defined by section 101(a) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act)), a national of Haiti who has become eligible for
adjustment of status under the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act
of 1998 as a result of the amendments made by paragraph (1), may file
one motion to reopen exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings to
apply for such adjustment under that Act. The scope of any proceeding
reopened on this basis shall be limited to a determination of the alien's
eligibility for adjustment of status under that Act. All such motions
shall be filed within 180 days of the date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) SECTION 309 OF IIRIRA.--Section 309 of the Illegal Immigration Reform
and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is amended by adding at the end
the following new subsection:
``(h) RELIEF AND MOTIONS TO REOPEN.--
``(1) RELIEF.--An alien described in subsection (c)(5)(C)(i) who is otherwise
eligible for--
``(A) suspension of deportation pursuant to section 244(a) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act, as in effect before the title III-A effective date;
or
``(B) cancellation of removal, pursuant to section 240A(b) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act and subsection (f) of this section; shall not be barred
from applying for such relief by operation of section 241(a)(5) of the
Immigration and National Act, as in effect after the title III-A effective
date.
``(2) ADDITIONAL MOTION TO REOPEN PERMITTED.--Notwithstanding any limitation
imposed by law on motions to reopen removal or deportation proceedings
(except limitations premised on an alien's conviction of an aggravated
felony (as defined by section 101(a) of the Immigration and Nationality
Act)), any alien who is described in subsection (c)(5)(C)(i) and who has
become eligible for cancellation of removal or suspension of deportation
as a result of the enactment of paragraph (1) may file one motion to reopen
removal or deportation proceedings in order to apply for cancellation
of removal or suspension of deportation. The scope of any proceeding reopened
on this basis shall be limited to a determination of the alien's eligibility
for cancellation of removal or suspension of deportation. The Attorney
General shall designate a specific time period in which all such motions
to reopen are required to be filed. The period shall begin not later than
60 days after the date of the enactment of this subsection and shall extend
for a period not to exceed 240 days.
``(3) CONSTRUCTION.--Nothing in this subsection shall preclude an alien
from filing a motion to reopen pursuant to section 240(b)(5)(C)(ii) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act, or section 242B(c)(3)(B) of such
Act (as in effect before the title III-A effective date).''.
SEC. 1506. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This title shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Legal
Immigration Family Equity Act. 39LE0004
Copyright © 2000, American Immigration Lawyers Association
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