Venezuelan Adjustment Act

This proposal would let certain Venezuelans who were already in the U.S. apply for a green card. To qualify, a person must be from Venezuela, have entered the U.S. on or before December 31, 2021, and have lived in the U.S. for at least one year when applying; spouses, children, and unmarried sons or daughters could also qualify. Applications must be filed within three years after the law takes effect, and some usual immigration bars would not apply. However, people with certain serious crimes or who took part in persecution would not be eligible. Short trips abroad, up to 180 days total, would not break the one‑year presence rule.

People with past deportation or removal orders could still apply without filing a separate motion; if approved, the old order would be canceled. While an application is pending, the government must set up a process to pause removal, and removals are generally on hold during proceedings for those who have applied. Applicants could work legally while they wait, and if a case takes more than 180 days, work authorization would be required. If approved, permanent residence would be recorded from the date the person first arrived in the U.S.. This would not reduce the number of other immigrant visas available, and court review would be limited except for constitutional or legal questions; normal administrative review rights would apply.

Key points

• Who is affected: Venezuelan nationals in the U.S. by 12/31/2021, plus their spouses, children, and unmarried sons or daughters; must have at least one year of U.S. presence when applying, with up to 180 days of travel allowed.
• What changes: Can apply for a green card within three years of the law taking effect; some usual immigration bars would not apply; people with serious crimes or persecution history are excluded.
• While waiting: Removal generally paused during proceedings; work allowed while the application is pending, and required if pending over 180 days .
• If approved: Green card recorded from the person’s arrival date; does not cut into other immigrant visa numbers; limited court review but normal administrative review.