Rep. García, 46 House Members Introduce Legislation to Update the Registry Immigration Cutoff Date

Press Release

Today, Reps. Jesús "Chuy" García (IL-04), Lou Correa (CA-34) and Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), joined Rep. Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship in the House Judiciary Committee, and Reps. Norma Torres (CA-35) and Grace Meng (NY-6) to introduce the Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, which would update Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act known as registry.

Section 249 gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the discretion to "register" certain individuals for lawful permanent resident status if they have been in the country since a certain date and meet other requirements. Currently, this provision is limited to people who have been continuously present in the United States since before January 1, 1972. Since the registry was first codified in 1929, Congress has modified it numerous times, most recently during the Reagan Administration, to modernize restrictions and advance the cutoff date for eligibility. The Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 would update the registry provision by moving the eligibility cutoff date so that an immigrant may qualify if they have been in the U.S. for at least seven years.

"Today there is renewed hope for millions of immigrants who have lived in our country, formed families, bought homes, and have been part of their communities, sometimes for decades," said Congressman García. "This bill provides an opportunity to give peace of mind and a legal path for approximately 8 million immigrants. Eight months ago, the House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act, which included urgently needed relief for undocumented immigrants -- although, not nearly enough as this bill would accomplish -- and yet, a small group of Senators refused to bring even that to the floor for a vote. It's time to stop playing political games and fix our broken immigration system. This bill is a step in the right direction."

"For decades, immigrants who contribute significantly to our communities and our economy have been relegated to a legal limbo," said Congresswoman Lofgren. "I'm proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to provide these immigrants with the stability and certainty they and their families deserve. Updating this historically bipartisan provision to provide lawful permanent resident status to immigrants who have been a part of our communities for years will make our immigration system fairer and our country stronger."

"Our country relies on immigrants, both documented and undocumented alike. No matter the pandemic or crisis, immigrants have often served on the frontlines for the American people, while making a positive impact on their communities. It is long past time Congress acted to recognize these critical contributions by removing barriers in our immigration system," said Congresswoman Torres. "I'm proud to lead this historic and much-needed legislation with my colleagues to strengthen our current immigration system and ensure immigrants that have contributed so much to our country are able to achieve lawful permanent residency."

"Immigrants have contributed to every facet of our nation since its inception. Yet, over the past few years as our immigration system has been stressed, the process for becoming a new American has only become harder," said Congresswoman Meng. "The Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 would provide an estimated seven to eight million immigrants - that have been residing in the U.S. for at least seven years - a chance to obtain lawful permanent status through Registry. This policy has long been a pillar of the Immigration and Nationality Act, however, this provision has remained unchanged since 1986. This bill makes a simple update to the registry law that would expand the number of immigrants who may qualify to file an application for a green card and make permanent legal status an attainable reality for millions of immigrants moving forward. This nation was built by immigrants, and we must continue to make sure that all who want to become new Americans have that opportunity."

"From the beginning, I have fought for the inclusion of immigration reform in the process of budget reconciliation. The United States immigration system has been flawed for more than 35 years; it's time. Immigrants in our country cannot keep waiting. I'm proud to work with Chair Zoe Lofgren to introduce this needed legislation to provide justice for undocumented immigrants and allow them to gain permanent residence. From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, communities across America depended on the work of immigrant workers as frontliners", said Congressman Correa. "As we strive to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, our communities continue to be more dependent than ever on immigrant workers. We cannot keep waiting another 35 years to make changes to our immigration law. I will continue my efforts to help immigrants who have earned the right to call the United States their home."

"Immigrants built our nation--those who came to the United States years ago in search of a better life and have set down roots here deserve a chance at permanent residence--full stop." said Congressman Espaillat. "Currently millions of immigrants face an uncertain future regarding their residency status. Our bill, Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929, will provide a pathway for citizenship for immigrants who have lived and worked in our communities for numerous years. As one of a handful of immigrants in the House chamber and the only formerly once undocumented to stand with my colleagues, I am proud to extend the opportunity to others to call America home and continue their efforts to contribute to our nation's economic and social well-being."

"Despite the many challenges I have faced through most of the 18 years I have lived and contributed to the United States without papers, I know I will keep thriving," said Vanesssa Guerrero, a CHIRLA member and an American-in-waiting. "It is my expectation that Congress, if it wants to do the right thing, can fulfill their promise to impact the lives of millions who like me have the willingness and passion to make this our home, free from fear and persecution. Time after time our elected officials have promised changes to the immigration system, but all we have been offered is hope. We have been left without many tangible solutions and the registry is one way they can change all that this year."

"Because the registry date is long-outdated, millions of people are excluded from accessing a pathway to citizenship," said Jessica Park, a community member with NAKASEC Action Fund. "Temporary programs like DACA are in jeopardy yet again, highlighting the constant instability faced by parents, students, workers, and families -- and the need for permanent protections. An update to the registry date will restore basic rights, safety, and dignity for many. It is vital that legislators enact legislation that reduces the harm upon those targeted, including and especially Black, brown, Asian, indigenous, and immigrant communities. An update to the registry date is a step towards a safe and just future for the United States and the world. We cannot forget that every person has the right to seek a better life. The truly ethical action would be to create a pathway to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants, being sure to exclude no one and recognizing the inherent dignity and humanity of all people."

Registry is an historically bipartisan policy, first enacted in 1929, that allows certain immigrants who have built lives in the United States to regularize their status. Registry creates a discretionary process by which long-term residents of the United States may apply for and obtain a green card, after undergoing vetting. Such individuals must establish eligibility through rigorous, but fair, criminal bars.

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