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Reduces the minimum time a noncitizen must have been in the United States before applying for the relief governed by 8 U.S.C. 1259 to at least seven years. The law also revises the section header and becomes effective 60 days after enactment.
Amend Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act by changing the section header (text shown in the bill: "in the section header, by striking ; and inserting ; and").
Amend subsection (a) to read: "entered the United States at least 7 years before the application date;" (i.e., the subsection text is replaced with this sentence).
The amendments made by this section take effect 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Who is affected and how:
Noncitizens seeking relief under 8 U.S.C. 1259: Directly affected because the minimum required period of entry into the United States is reduced to seven years; people who previously did not meet the older (longer) time threshold may now qualify once the change is in effect.
Immigration adjudicators and agencies (USCIS, EOIR, DHS/ICE attorneys and staff): Will need to apply the new seven-year entry rule when reviewing future applications, which may increase caseloads or require updates to guidance, forms, and internal procedures.
Immigration courts and legal representatives: May see changes in filings and case strategies tied to the shortened entry requirement.
Federal budgets and state/local governments: The amendment itself does not appropriate funds or mandate new spending; any increased workload would be absorbed within existing administrative processes unless separate funding is provided later.
Overall effect: a narrow but meaningful eligibility change that expands the set of individuals who can meet the statutory entry-time criterion for the relief in 8 U.S.C. 1259, effective 60 days after enactment. Other statutory or regulatory eligibility conditions in that provision remain in force and continue to determine final eligibility.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4776)
Introduced July 28, 2025 by Alejandro Padilla · Last progress July 28, 2025
Expand sections to see detailed analysis
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4776)
Introduced in Senate
