A group of Democratic Senators, led by Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have introduced the Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act (SECURE Act), which would provide a path to permanent residence for those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS). That would include an estimated 411,000 individuals from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
*NOTE: THIS IS ONLY PROPOSED LEGISLATION. IT HAS NOT BEEN ENACTED INTO LAW. MANY HAVE TRIED IN THE PAST TO ENACT SIMILAR IMMIGRATION REFORMS WITHOUT SUCCESS. WE WILL PROVIDE ANY UPDATES AS NEEDED.
To qualify, an individual must not only meet the requirements of TPS but must also:
- Be physically present in the United States;
- Have been physically present in the United States for at least 3 years; and
- Not be inadmissible or deportable from the United States on criminal, national security, or other related grounds.
A limited exception would exist for some who were removed from the United States or departed the United States on or after September 28, 2016, as long as they meet other eligibility requirements.
This legislation, if enacted, would also permit spouses and children of TPS holders to apply for permanent residence.
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