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Legal Immigration Family Equity
(LIFE) Act
From Public Law 106-553, Making Appropriations for the
Government of the District of Columbia and [...] for Other Purposes
LIFE Act
LIFE Act Amendments
SEC. 1101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as--
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 (8 U.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).
Public
Law 106-553
Making Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations
for Fiscal Year 2001
Title XV, Life Act Amendments
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 inadmissability
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 adjustment 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 ground of 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 pargraph (1) and shall provide the alien with
an 'employment authorized' endoresement or 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, 1998;
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 Geranl 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 Nicarguan 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 aplying
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 se standards used in granting consent under subparagraphs
(A) and (C) 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) canellation 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 Nationality 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.
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