I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 832
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a mechanism 
for United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor 
their permanent partners for residence in the United States, and for 
other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
FEBRUARY 13, 2003
Mr. NADLER (for himself, Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Mr. ACKERMAN, Mr. ANDREWS, 
Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. BECERRA, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. 
BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. BROWN of Ohio, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. CASE, 
Mr. CLAY, Mr. CONYERS, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. CROWLEY, Mr. DEFAZIO, 
Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. DELAHUNT, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. ESHOO, 
Mr. FARR, Mr. FILNER, Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts, Mr. GRIJALVA, 
Mr. GUTIERREZ, Ms. HARMAN, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HINCHEY, 
Mr. HOEFFEL, Mr. HOLT, Mr. HONDA, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. 
JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. JEFFERSON, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON 
of Texas, Mrs. JONES of Ohio, Mr. KENNEDY of Rhode Island, Mr. 
KOLBE, Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. LANTOS, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. 
LEE, Mr. LEVIN, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. LOFGREN, Mrs. LOWEY, 
Mrs. MALONEY, Mr. MARKEY, Mr. MATSUI, Ms. MCCARTHY of Missouri, 
Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. MCNULTY, Mr. 
MEEHAN, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. 
NORTON, Mr. OWENS, Mr. OLVER, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. 
PASTOR, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. RANGEL, Mr. ROTHMAN, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, 
Mr. SABO, Ms. LINDA T. SA´NCHEZ of California, Mr. SANDERS, Ms. 
SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. SERRANO, Mr. SIMMONS, Ms. SLAUGH-
TER, Ms. SOLIS, Mr. STARK, Mrs. TAUSCHER, Mr. THOMPSON of Cali-
fornia, Mr. TIERNEY, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, Ms. WATSON, Mr. 
WAXMAN, Mr. WEINER, Mr. WEXLER, Ms. WOOLSEY, and Mr. WU) in-
troduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the 
Judiciary
A BILL 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide 
a mechanism for United States citizens and lawful per-
manent residents to sponsor their permanent partners 
for residence in the United States, and for other pur-
poses.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION 
AND NATIONALITY ACT. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 
‘‘Permanent Partners Immigration Act of 2003’’. 
(b) AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION AND NATION-
ALITY ACT.—Except as otherwise specifically provided 
whenever in this Act an amendment or repeal is expressed 
as the amendment or repeal of a section or other provision, 
the reference shall be considered to be made to that sec-
tion or provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act. 
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 101(a) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (15)(K)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘(51) The term ‘permanent partner’ means an 
individual 18 years of age or older who—
‘‘(A) is in a committed, intimate relation-
ship with another individual 18 years of age or 
older in which both parties intend a lifelong 
commitment; 
‘‘(B) is financially interdependent with 
that other individual; 
‘‘(C) is not married to or in a permanent 
partnership with anyone other than that other 
individual; 
‘‘(D) is unable to contract with that other 
individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; 
and 
‘‘(E) is not a first, second, or third degree 
blood relation of that other individual. 
‘‘(52) The term ‘permanent partnership’ means 
the relationship that exists between two permanent 
partners.’’. 
SEC. 3. WORLDWIDE LEVEL OF IMMIGRATION. 
Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)) 
is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘permanent partners,’’ after 
‘‘spouses,’’; 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 
‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; and
(3) by striking ‘‘remarries.’’ and inserting ‘‘re-
marries or enters a permanent partnership with an-
other person.’’. 
SEC. 4. NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL FOR-
EIGN STATES. 
(a) PER COUNTRY LEVELS.—Section 202(a)(4) (8 
U.S.C. 1152(a)(4)) is amended—
(1) in the paragraph heading for paragraph (4), 
by inserting ‘‘, 
PERMANENT
PARTNERS,’’ after 
‘‘SPOUSES’’; 
(2) in the subparagraph heading for subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’ 
after ‘‘SPOUSES’’; and 
(3) in the subparagraph heading for subpara-
graph (C), by inserting ‘‘WITHOUT
PERMANENT 
PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘DAUGHTERS’’. 
(b) RULES FOR CHARGEABILITY.—Section 202(b)(2) 
(8 U.S.C. 1152(b)(2)) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 
‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partners’’ after 
‘‘husband and wife’’.
SEC. 5. ALLOCATION OF IMMIGRANT VISAS. 
(a) PREFERENCE ALLOCATION FOR FAMILY MEM-
BERS
OF
PERMANENT
RESIDENT
ALIENS.—Section 
203(a)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(2)) is amended—
(1) in the paragraph heading—
(A) by striking ‘‘and’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘WITHOUT
PERMANENT 
PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SONS’’ and after ‘‘DAUGH-
TERS’’; and 
(2) in subparagraph (A)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘, permanent partners,’’ 
after ‘‘spouses’’; and
(B) by inserting ‘‘without permanent part-
ners’’ after ‘‘sons’’ and after ‘‘daughters’’. 
(b) PREFERENCE
ALLOCATION
FOR
SONS
AND 
DAUGHTERS OF CITIZENS.—Section 203(a)(3) (8 U.S.C. 
1153(a)(3)) is amended—
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting 
‘‘AND
DAUGHTERS
AND
SONS
WITH
PERMANENT 
PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘DAUGHTERS’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or daughters or sons with per-
manent partners’’ after ‘‘daughters’’. 
(c) 
EMPLOYMENT
CREATION.—Section 
203(b)(5)(A)(iii) (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5)(A)(iii)) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’.
(d) TREATMENT
OF FAMILY MEMBERS.—Section 
203(d) (8 U.S.C. 1153(d)) is amended by inserting ‘‘, per-
manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term ap-
pears. 
SEC. 6. PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING IMMIGRANT STATUS. 
(a) CLASSIFICATION PETITIONS.—Section 204(a)(1) 
(8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)) is amended—
(1) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)(iii)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place such term 
appears in subclause (I); and 
(3) in subparagraph (B)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place such term 
appears.
(b) IMMIGRATION
FRAUD
PREVENTION.—Section 
204(c) (8 U.S.C. 1154(c)) is amended—
(1) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 
‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ 
after ‘‘marriage’’ each place such term appears. 
SEC. 7. ANNUAL ADMISSION OF REFUGEES AND ADMISSION 
OF EMERGENCY SITUATION REFUGEES. 
Section 207(c) (8 U.S.C. 1157(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (2)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’s’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’s’’; and
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
SEC. 8. ASYLUM. 
Section 208(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(3)) is amend-
ed—
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘OR PERMA-
NENT PARTNER’’ after ‘‘SPOUSE’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 
‘‘spouse’’. 
SEC. 9. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF REFUGEES. 
Section 209(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1159(b)(3)) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’.
SEC. 10. INADMISSIBLE ALIENS. 
(a) CLASSES OF ALIENS INELIGIBLE FOR VISAS OR 
ADMISSION.—Section 212(a) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) is 
amended—
(1) in paragraph (3)(D)(iv), by inserting ‘‘per-
manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; 
(2) in paragraph (4)(C)(i)(I), by inserting ‘‘, 
permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(3) in paragraph (6)(E)(ii), by inserting ‘‘per-
manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (9)(B)(v), by inserting ‘‘, per-
manent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
(b) WAIVERS.—Section 212(d) (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)) is 
amended—
(1) in paragraph (11), by inserting ‘‘permanent 
partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (12), by inserting ‘‘, perma-
nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
(c) WAIVERS OF INADMISSIBILITY ON HEALTH-RE-
LATED
GROUNDS.—Section 212(g)(1)(A) (8 U.S.C. 
1182(g)(1)(A)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent 
partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
(d) WAIVERS OF INADMISSIBILITY ON CRIMINAL AND 
RELATED GROUNDS.—Section 212(h)(1)(B) (8 U.S.C. 
1182(h)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting ‘‘permanent part-
ner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’.
(e) WAIVER OF INADMISSIBILITY FOR MISREPRESEN-
TATION.—Section 212(i)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(i)(1)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after 
‘‘spouse,’’. 
SEC. 11. NONIMMIGRANT STATUS FOR PERMANENT PART-
NERS AWAITING THE AVAILABILITY OF AN 
IMMIGRANT VISA. 
Section 214 (8 U.S.C. 1184) is amended—
(1) by redesignating the subsections (o) and (p) 
added by sections 1102(b) and 1103(b), respectively, 
of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and 
State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appro-
priations Act, 2001, as enacted into law by section 
1(a)(2) of P.L. 106–553, as subsections (p) and (q), 
resepectively; and 
(2) in subsection (q) (as so redesignated)—
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place such term 
appears. 
SEC. 12. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 
FOR CERTAIN ALIEN SPOUSES, PERMANENT 
PARTNERS, AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS. 
(a) SECTION HEADING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 216 (8 U.S.C. 1186a) is amended by inserting 
‘‘AND PERMANENT PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’.
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents is amended by amending the item relating to 
section 216 to read as follows:
‘‘Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien spouses and 
permanent partners and sons and daughters.’’. 
(b) IN
GENERAL.—Section 216(a) (8 U.S.C. 
1186a(a)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(2) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(3) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ‘‘perma-
nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘perma-
nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 
(c) TERMINATION
OF STATUS
IF FINDING
THAT 
QUALIFYING MARRIAGE IMPROPER.—Section 216(b) of 
such Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a(b)) is amended—
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘OR PERMA-
NENT PARTNERSHIP’’ after ‘‘MARRIAGE’’; 
(2) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or has ceased to satisfy 
the criteria for being considered a permanent 
partnership under this Act,’’ after ‘‘termi-
nated,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’. 
(d) REQUIREMENTS
OF
TIMELY
PETITION
AND 
INTERVIEW
FOR
REMOVAL
OF
CONDITION.—Section 
216(c) (8 U.S.C. 1186a(c)) is amended—
(1) in paragraphs (1), (2)(A)(ii), (3)(A)(ii), 
(3)(C), (4)(B), and (4)(C), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term 
appears; and 
(2) in paragraph (3)(A), in the matter following 
clause (ii), and in paragraph (3)(D), (4)(B), and 
(4)(C), by inserting ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ 
after ‘‘marriage’’ each place such term appears. 
(e) CONTENTS OF PETITION.—Section 216(d)(1) of 
such Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a(d)(1)) is amended—
(1) in the subparagraph heading for subpara-
graph (A), by inserting ‘‘OR PERMANENT PARTNER-
SHIP’’ after ‘‘MARRIAGE’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’;
(3) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by inserting be-
fore the comma at the end ‘‘, or is a permanent 
partnership recognized under this Act’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or has not ceased to sat-
isfy the criteria for being considered a perma-
nent partnership under this Act,’’ after ‘‘termi-
nated,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(6) in subparagraph (B)(i)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’. 
(e) 
DEFINITIONS.—Section 
216(g) 
(8 
U.S.C. 
1186a(g)) is amended—
(1) in paragraph (1)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; 
and
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place such term 
appears; 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; 
(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 
(4) in paragraph (4)—
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place such term appears; 
and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’. 
SEC. 13. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
ALIEN 
ENTREPRENEURS, 
SPOUSES, PERMANENT PARTNERS, AND CHIL-
DREN. 
(a) SECTION HEADING.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—The section heading for sec-
tion 216A (8 U.S.C. 1186b) is amended by inserting 
‘‘OR PERMANENT PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’. 
(2) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of con-
tents is amended by amending the item relating to 
section 216A to read as follows:
‘‘Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entre-
preneurs, spouses or permanent partners, and children.’’.