Venezuelan Adjustment Act
Congress Proposes Path to Green Cards for Venezuelans Who Arrived Before 2022
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill, introduced by Representative Soto, would allow Venezuelan citizens living in the United States to apply for permanent residency, commonly known as a Green Card. To qualify, a person must have entered the country on or before December 31, 2021, and lived here for at least one year before submitting their application.
- The policy aims to provide a stable legal future for thousands of Venezuelans who fled political and economic instability. It also extends eligibility to their spouses and children, helping families stay together legally in the country.
- People with serious criminal records, such as those convicted of major felonies or those who have participated in the persecution of others, are not eligible for this program. However, the bill allows people with past deportation orders to apply for a Green Card without having to go back through the court system to reopen their old cases.
- While waiting for the government to process their applications, individuals can receive work permits so they can legally hold jobs. If the government takes longer than 180 days to make a decision on an application, a work permit must be granted automatically.
- Applicants would have a three-year window to submit their paperwork once the bill becomes law. These Green Cards would not count against the normal yearly limits on how many people can immigrate to the U.S. from other countries, meaning they won't take away spots from other applicants.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
The bill explicitly bars anyone convicted of an aggravated felony or two or more crimes involving moral turpitude from qualifying for status adjustment. Venezuelans with serious criminal records would be excluded from this pathway to permanent residency even if they meet all other requirements. This is a standard exclusion in immigration law but means this particular group cannot benefit.
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
4 articles
Delegation for 2.21.25: DOGE — leaks — drones — Mars — Venezuelans
Members of Florida's congressional delegation re-introduced the Venezuelan Adjustment Act (H.R. 1348), which would grant permanent legal residency to Venezuelans who entered the U.S. before 2022. The move responds to administration policy shifts regarding Temporary Protected Status.
'I could be killed': With impending loss of TPS, Venezuelans who fled persecution fear forced return
As the expiration of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) nears, Venezuelan migrants in South Florida are rallying support for the Venezuelan Adjustment Act. The bill is seen as a vital 'road to legal residency' for those who fear for their lives if forced to return to Venezuela.
There’s reason for hope on immigration and border reforms
An opinion piece highlighting bipartisan immigration efforts, specifically citing the Venezuelan Adjustment Act as a promising initiative. The author argues that providing legal status to those already integrated into the U.S. workforce is a pragmatic and humanitarian necessity.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Venezuelan Adjustment Act
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
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