Dear Netters,


            Following are number of clippings explaining facts about the recent Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act (LIFE ACT) of 2000, dubbed the New US Amnesty.  Please note that April 30, 2001 is a key cut-off date for the grandfathering of the provisions of Section 245(i).

            Best wishes,

            Sheikh Gibril.

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            Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act

            Among the changes in the law are the following:

            1. • Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will be available temporarily to people physically present in the United States on the date of enactment, December 21, 2000. The provision will allow a person who qualifies for permanent residency, but is ineligible to adjust status in the United States because of an immigration status violation, to pay a $1,000 penalty to continue processing in the United States. In order to be eligible for 245(i) adjustment under the LIFE Act, a person must be the beneficiary of an immigrant petition or application for labor certification filed on or before April 30, 2001.

            (EXPLANATORY NOTE: APPLICANTS MUST PROVE THEY WERE PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE U.S. ON THE DATE OF ENACTMENT OF L.I.F.E.)

            2. • A new temporary "V" non-immigrant status will be available to the spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents waiting more than three years for an immigrant visa based upon an immigrant petition filed on or before the enactment date of the LIFE Act. Persons granted "V" status would receive employment authorization and are protected from removal. 

            3. • A new temporary "K" visa status will be available to spouses of U.S. citizens (and their children) living abroad. The current K visa is only available to fiancées of U.S. citizens who are coming to the United States to get married within 90 days of arrival. 

            4. • Persons who filed before October 1, 2000, for class membership in one of three "late amnesty" lawsuits (CSS v. Meese, LULAC v. INS, and Zambrano v. INS) and who are eligible under the LIFE Act's amended legalization provisions may apply to adjust status during a 12-month period that begins once regulations are issued. 

            (EXPLANATORY NOTE:  THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR ADJUSTMENT FOR CERTAIN LATE LEGALIZATION CLASS MEMBERS WHO MEET THE NEW MEASURE'S QUALIFICATIONS.)

            5. Spouses and unmarried children of the class action claimants will be protected from certain categories of removal and will be eligible for work authorization if they entered the United States before December 1, 1988 and resided in the United States on that date. 
             

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