Summary

Creates two main pathways to lawful permanent residence. First, certain people who entered the U.S. as children can apply for a “conditional” green card and later full permanent residence if they meet rules like continuous presence since January 1, 2021, education or training progress, background checks, and (if required) Selective Service registration. Criminal and national security bars apply, with limited waivers. Fees are capped, many DACA renewals are streamlined with no fee, and minors get added protection from removal while their cases are pending. Some provisional denials can be reviewed in court. Second, certain people who previously held Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) can apply for permanent residence if they have been physically present in the U.S. at least three years and apply within three years of enactment. The bill sets fee caps and waiver options, protects applicant data from immigration enforcement use (with narrow exceptions), requires quick interim rules from DHS, pauses removal during reviews, creates a grant program to help applicants, and adds a $25 surcharge to fund appointed counsel for some judicial reviews.

Key Points

• Creates a permanent residence pathway for certain people who entered the U.S. as children, starting with conditional status.
• Provides a separate permanent residence pathway for certain TPS and DED holders with 3 years’ U.S. presence who apply within 3 years of enactment.
• Sets fee caps ($495 for childhood arrivers; $1,140 for TPS/DED) with exemptions and streamlined, no‑fee processing for many DACA renewals.
• Requires background checks, education/training progress, and Selective Service registration (if applicable).
• Applies criminal and national security bars, with limited discretionary waivers for humanitarian reasons, family unity, or public interest.
• Limits removal while applications are pending and provides extra protections for some minors.
• Protects applicant information from immigration enforcement use, with narrow exceptions.
• Allows judicial review of certain provisional denials and funds appointed counsel for some reviews via a $25 surcharge.
• Directs DHS to issue interim final rules quickly and creates a grant program to help applicants submit strong applications.

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