Sponsors (36)
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Replaces references to the Attorney General with the Secretary of Homeland Security/Secretary in subsection (b)(3) and adds a new reporting requirement (clause (ii)) requiring the Secretary to submit a report within 3 days after publication of a termination determination in the Federal Register, specifying required contents (items I–IV).
Adds new section 245B to the Immigration and Nationality Act (codified as 8 U.S.C. 1255b) establishing a standalone adjustment-of-status pathway for certain foreign nationals (including various classes tied to temporary protected status, deferred enforced departure, and nationals of designated foreign states), setting eligibility criteria (including continuous-presence periods and criminal/security bars), fee authority and exemptions (fee cap $1,440), stay-of-removal and work-authorization rules while applications are pending, advance parole eligibility, derivative adjustment for spouses/children, waiver authority, and an exception to numerical visa limitations.
Amends 8 U.S.C. 1254a(f)(4) by inserting additional text after the location indicated in the amendment (specific inserted language not included in the excerpt).
Clerical amendment to the table of contents for the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) inserting a new item for section 245B after the item relating to section 245A.
Creates a new immigration pathway that lets specified noncitizens who currently hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), or similar protective statuses apply to become lawful permanent residents. While their applications are pending the bill grants work authorization, advance parole, and a stay of removal; spouses and children can be included; approved adjustments won’t use the annual immigrant visa limits. Limits disclosure of application information for immigration enforcement (with narrow law‑enforcement and national‑security exceptions and penalties for knowing violations) and requires the Department of Homeland Security to send a short report within 3 days after terminating a country’s TPS designation describing why TPS was originally granted, progress made, requests from the country, and analysis of repatriation capability. The bill also preserves existing INA definitions and the Secretary’s statutory powers and clarifies that applicants may still seek other adjustment paths where eligible.
Authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to adjust the status of any alien described in subsection (b)(1) to lawful permanent resident, provided the alien is not inadmissible under section 212(a)(2) or (3), not deportable under section 237(a)(2),(3), or (4), and not described in section 208(b)(2)(A)(i).
Clarifies that a judgment that has been expunged or set aside resulting in a rehabilitative disposition (or equivalent) is not treated as a conviction for purposes of this section.
Any alien physically present in the United States may apply for adjustment of status under this section, except as provided for certain aliens removed or who departed on or after September 28, 2016 (these aliens may apply from outside the U.S. if they met the subsection (b)(1) status the day before removal/departure).
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall require a reasonable application-processing fee not to exceed $1,440.
Fee exemptions: an applicant is exempt from the application fee if the applicant is (I) younger than 18 years, (II) had total income in the prior 12 months less than 150% of the Federal poverty line, (III) is in foster care or lacks parental/familial support, or (IV) cannot self-care because of a serious, chronic disability.
Primary direct impacts:
Beneficiaries: People who currently hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Deferred Enforced Departure (DED), or analogous protections and who meet the bill’s eligibility rules are given an explicit pathway to lawful permanent residence, plus interim labor authorization, travel parole, and protection from removal while adjudication proceeds. Spouses and dependent children of eligible applicants are also covered. This could stabilize families, improve labor-market access for recipients, and reduce fear of removal for qualifying households.
Immigration enforcement and adjudication agencies: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Homeland Security must implement the new application category, adjudicate claims, issue employment/travel documents, and follow the nondisclosure rules. The confidentiality limitations will restrict DHS field/enforcement use of application data, while the narrow exceptions preserve certain national‑security and criminal‑investigation uses. DHS offices must also generate a short, rapid report whenever TPS for a country is terminated (3‑day requirement). That will impose expedited internal coordination and reporting duties.
Legal services and community providers: Immigration attorneys, accredited representatives, and community legal aid organizations are likely to see increased demand for application assistance, appeals, and representation (including help documenting eligibility and family relationships).
Employers and local communities: Employers that hire TPS/DED holders may see a shift from temporary work authorization timing/renewals to a longer‑term status prospect, which can affect hiring, retention, and workforce planning. Local jurisdictions and service providers could see reduced destabilization in communities where large numbers of eligible noncitizens live.
Enforcement and oversight considerations: The bill narrows DHS’ ability to use applicant information for immigration enforcement, but it preserves narrow exceptions for national security and criminal investigations; enforcement agencies may request more formal channels for vetted access. The civil penalty for violations creates an enforcement mechanism to protect confidentiality but will require internal compliance processes.
Net broader effects: The measure provides a targeted legalization route and stronger privacy limits for a defined group of protected noncitizens while increasing DHS reporting transparency on TPS terminations. That combination reduces removal risk for eligible applicants and increases administrative workload for DHS and legal aid providers. The policy may be politically contentious and could affect bilateral relations where TPS terminations and repatriation analyses are sensitive.
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced June 18, 2025 by Christopher Van Hollen · Last progress June 18, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate