Expands the registry date cutoff in the Immigration and Nationality Act from prior to 1972 to at least 7 years before application, allowing more long-term residents to apply for legal permanent resident status and thereby reducing the risk of their removal.
Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1259) is amended-- (1) in the section header, by striking ``entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972'' and inserting ``are long-term residents of the United States''; and (2) by amending subsection (a) to read as follows: ``(a) entered the United States at least 7 years before the application date;''.
✓ Quote verified word for word in the bill text
Introduced (completed)
Committee
Passed one chamber
Passed both
President
Law
Stage: Committee · step 2 of 6
Last action
2025-07-23: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Why the model tagged it this way: The bill amends the registry provision to make adjustment of status available to a broader group of long-term noncitizen residents (those present for at least 7 years rather than before 1972), which limits the scope of immigration enforcement by reducing deportability for more people.