I 
112TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1537 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote family unity, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 14, 2011 
Mr. NADLER (for himself, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN of California, Mr. FRANK of 
Massachusetts, Ms. BALDWIN, Mr. POLIS, Mr. CICILLINE, Mr. CONYERS, 
Ms. PELOSI, Mr. HOYER, Mr. CLYBURN, Mr. HONDA, Mr. GUTIERREZ, 
Mr. ACKERMAN, Ms. BASS of California, Mr. BECERRA, Ms. BERKLEY, 
Mr. BERMAN, Mr. BISHOP of New York, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. BRADY 
of Pennsylvania, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. CAPUANO, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Ms. 
CASTOR of Florida, Ms. CHU, Mr. CLAY, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. 
CONNOLLY of Virginia, Mr. CROWLEY, Mrs. DAVIS of California, Mr. 
DEFAZIO, Ms. DEGETTE, Ms. DELAURO, Mr. DEUTCH, Mr. DOYLE, Mr. 
ELLISON, Mr. ENGEL, Ms. ESHOO, Mr. FARR, Mr. FILNER, Mr. 
GRIJALVA, Mr. HASTINGS of Florida, Mr. HEINRICH, Mr. HIMES, Mr. 
HINCHEY, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HOLT, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. ISRAEL, Mr. JACK-
SON of Illinois, Ms. JACKSON LEE of Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, 
Mr. KUCINICH, Mr. LANGEVIN, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Ms. LEE of 
California, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Mrs. LOWEY, Mrs. MALONEY, Ms. 
MATSUI, Ms. MCCOLLUM, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. 
MEEKS, Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California, Ms. MOORE, Mr. MORAN, 
Mrs. NAPOLITANO, Ms. NORTON, Mr. OLVER, Mr. PASCRELL, Mr. 
PALLONE, Mr. PASTOR of Arizona, Ms. PINGREE of Maine, Mr. PRICE 
of North Carolina, Mr. QUIGLEY, Mr. RANGEL, Ms. RICHARDSON, Mr. 
ROTHMAN of New Jersey, Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD, Mr. RUSH, Ms. LINDA 
T. SA´NCHEZ
of California, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, Mr. SCHIFF, Mr. 
SERRANO, Mr. SIRES, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Ms. SPEIER, Mr. 
STARK, Ms. SUTTON, Mr. TOWNS, Ms. TSONGAS, Ms. WASSERMAN 
SCHULTZ, Ms. WATERS, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. WEINER, Mr. WELCH, Ms. 
WOOLSEY, Mr. WU, Mr. TONKO, and Mr. COURTNEY) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
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A BILL 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to promote 
family unity, and for other purposes. 
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 
‘‘Uniting American Families Act of 2011’’. 
(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 OF PERMANENT PARTNER AND PER-
MANENT PARTNERSHIP. 
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: 
‘‘(52) 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 
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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. 
‘‘(53) The term ‘permanent partnership’ means 
the relationship that exists between two permanent 
partners. 
‘‘(54) The term ‘alien permanent partner’ 
means the individual in a permanent partnership 
who is being sponsored for a visa’’. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITION OF CHILD. 
(a) TITLES I AND II.—Section 101(b)(1) (8 U.S.C. 
1101(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the fol-
lowing: 
‘‘(H)(i) a biological child of an alien permanent 
partner if the child was under the age of 18 at the 
time the permanent partnership was formed; or 
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‘‘(ii) a child adopted by an alien permanent 
partner while under the age of 16 years if the child 
has been in the legal custody of, and has resided 
with, such adoptive parent for at least 2 years and 
if the child was under the age of 18 at the time the 
permanent partnership was formed.’’. 
(b) TITLE III.—Section 101(c) (8 U.S.C. 1101(c)) 
is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or as de-
scribed in subsection (b)(1)(H)’’ after ‘‘The term 
‘child’ means an unmarried person under twenty-one 
years of age’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ‘‘or a de-
ceased permanent partner of the deceased parent, 
father, or mother,’’ after ‘‘deceased parent, father, 
and mother’’. 
SEC. 4. 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 it appears; 
(3) by inserting ‘‘(or, in the case of a perma-
nent partnership, whose permanent partnership was 
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not terminated)’’ after ‘‘was not legally separated 
from the citizen’’; and 
(4) by striking ‘‘remarries.’’ and inserting ‘‘re-
marries or enters a permanent partnership with an-
other person.’’. 
SEC. 5. 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 heading, by inserting ‘‘, PERMANENT 
PARTNERS,’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’; 
(2) in the heading of subparagraph (A), by in-
serting 
‘‘, 
PERMANENT
PARTNERS,’’ 
after 
‘‘SPOUSES’’; and 
(3) in the heading of subparagraph (C), by 
striking ‘‘AND
DAUGHTERS’’ inserting ‘‘WITHOUT 
PERMANENT
PARTNERS
AND
UNMARRIED
DAUGH-
TERS WITHOUT PERMANENT PARTNERS’’. 
(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 it appears; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partners’’ after 
‘‘husband and wife’’. 
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SEC. 6. 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 heading— 
(A) by striking ‘‘AND’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’ 
and inserting ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNERS,’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘WITHOUT
PERMANENT 
PARTNERS’’ after ‘‘SONS’’ and after ‘‘DAUGH-
TERS’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ‘‘, perma-
nent partners,’’ after ‘‘spouses’’; and 
(3) in subparagraph (B), by inserting ‘‘without 
permanent partners’’ after ‘‘sons’’ and after ‘‘daugh-
ters’’. 
(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 heading, by inserting ‘‘AND DAUGH-
TERS AND SONS WITH PERMANENT PARTNERS’’ after 
‘‘DAUGHTERS’’; and 
(2) by inserting ‘‘, or daughters or sons with 
permanent partners,’’ after ‘‘daughters’’. 
(c) 
EMPLOYMENT
CREATION.—Section 
203(b)(5)(A)(ii) (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5)(A)(ii)) is amended 
by inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 
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(2) by inserting ‘‘or formation of a new perma-
nent partnership’’ after ‘‘Remarriage’’. 
SEC. 8. 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 it appears; 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’s’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’s’’; and 
(C) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking ‘‘or’’ after ‘‘(D),’’; and 
(ii) by inserting ‘‘, or (H)’’ after 
‘‘(E)’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse.’’. 
SEC. 9. ASYLUM. 
Section 208(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(3)) is amend-
ed— 
(1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ‘‘OR 
PERMANENT PARTNER’’ after ‘‘SPOUSE’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(B) by striking ‘‘or’’ after ‘‘(D),’’; and 
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(C) by inserting ‘‘, or (H)’’ after ‘‘(E)’’. 
SEC. 10. 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. 11. 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. 
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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. 12. NONIMMIGRANT STATUS FOR PERMANENT PART-
NERS AWAITING THE AVAILABILITY OF AN 
IMMIGRANT VISA. 
Section 214 (8 U.S.C. 1184) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (e)(2), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(2) in subsection (r)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it appears. 
SEC. 13. DERIVATIVE STATUS FOR PERMANENT PARTNERS 
OF NONIMMIGRANT VISA HOLDERS. 
Section 101(a)(15) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)) is amend-
ed— 
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(1) in subparagraph (A)— 
(A) in clause (i), by inserting ‘‘, which 
shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘imme-
diate family’’; 
(B) in clause (ii), by inserting ‘‘, which 
shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘imme-
diate families’’; and 
(C) in clause (iii), by inserting ‘‘, which 
shall include permanent partners,’’ after ‘‘im-
mediate families,’’; 
(2) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(3) in subparagraph (F)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(4) in subparagraph (G)(i), by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall include his or her permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘members of his or their immediate family’’; 
(5) in subparagraph (G)(ii), by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall include permanent partners,’’ after ‘‘the 
members of their immediate families’’; 
(6) in subparagraph (G)(iii), by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall include his permanent partner,’’ after 
‘‘the members of his immediate family’’; 
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(7) in subparagraph (G)(iv), by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘the 
members of their immediate families’’; 
(8) in subparagraph (G)(v), by inserting ‘‘, 
which shall include permanent partners’’ after ‘‘the 
members of the immediate families’’; 
(9) in subparagraph (H), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(10) in subparagraph (I), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(11) in subparagraph (J), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(12) in subparagraph (L), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(13) in subparagraph (M)(ii), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(14) in subparagraph (O)(iii), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(15) in subparagraph (P)(iv), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(16) in subparagraph (Q)(ii)(II), by inserting 
‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(17) in subparagraph (R), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
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(18) in subparagraph (S), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(19) in subparagraph (T)(ii)(I), by inserting 
‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(20) in subparagraph (T)(ii)(II), by inserting 
‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(21) in subparagraph (U)(ii)(I), by inserting 
‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(22) in subparagraph (U)(ii)(II), by inserting 
‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(23) in subparagraph (V), by inserting ‘‘perma-
nent partner or’’ after ‘‘beneficiary (including a’’. 
SEC. 14. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 
FOR CERTAIN ALIEN SPOUSES, PERMANENT 
PARTNERS, AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS. 
(a) SECTION HEADING.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The heading for section 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— 
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(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— 
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(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 it 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 it appears. 
(e) CONTENTS OF PETITION.—Section 216(d)(1) of 
such Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a(d)(1)) is amended— 
(1) in the heading of subparagraph (A), by in-
serting ‘‘OR PERMANENT PARTNERSHIP’’ after ‘‘MAR-
RIAGE’’; 
(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’’; 
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(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’’. 
(f) 
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 it appears; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’ each place it 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 it appears; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marriage’’. 
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SEC. 15. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS 
FOR 
CERTAIN 
ALIEN 
ENTREPRENEURS, 
SPOUSES, PERMANENT PARTNERS, AND CHIL-
DREN. 
(a) SECTION HEADING.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—The heading for section 
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. 216A. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entre-
preneurs, spouses or permanent partners, and children.’’. 
(b) IN
GENERAL.—Section 216A(a) (8 U.S.C. 
1186b(a)) is amended, in paragraphs (1), (2)(A), (2)(B), 
and (2)(C), by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 
‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 
(c) TERMINATION
OF STATUS
IF FINDING THAT 
QUALIFYING ENTREPRENEURSHIP IMPROPER.—Section 
216A(b)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(b)(1)) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ in the matter 
following subparagraph (C). 
(d) REQUIREMENTS
OF
TIMELY
PETITION
AND 
INTERVIEW
FOR
REMOVAL
OF
CONDITION.—Section 
216A(c) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(c)) is amended, in paragraphs 
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(1), (2)(A)(ii), and (3)(C), by inserting ‘‘or permanent 
partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
(e) DEFINITIONS.—Section 216A(f)(2) (8 U.S.C. 
1186b(f)(2)) is amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent part-
ner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 
SEC. 16. DEPORTABLE ALIENS. 
Section 237(a) of the Immigration and Nationality 
Act (8 U.S.C. 1227(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(D)(i), by inserting ‘‘or 
permanent partners’’ after ‘‘spouses’’ each place it 
appears; 
(2) in paragraphs (1)(E)(ii), (1)(E)(iii), and 
(1)(H)(i)(I), by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(3) by adding at the end of paragraph (1) the 
following new subparagraph: 
‘‘(I) PERMANENT PARTNERSHIP FRAUD.— 
An alien shall be considered to be deportable as 
having procured a visa or other documentation 
by fraud (within the meaning of section 
212(a)(6)(C)(i)) and to be in the United States 
in violation of this Act (within the meaning of 
subparagraph (B)) if— 
‘‘(i) the alien obtains any admission to 
the United States with an immigrant visa 
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or other documentation procured on the 
basis of a permanent partnership entered 
into less than 2 years prior to such admis-
sion and which, within 2 years subsequent 
to such admission, is terminated because 
the criteria for permanent partnership are 
no longer fulfilled, unless the alien estab-
lishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary 
of Homeland Security that such permanent 
partnership was not contracted for the 
purpose of evading any provisions of the 
immigration laws; or 
‘‘(ii) it appears to the satisfaction of 
the Secretary of Homeland Security that 
the alien has failed or refused to fulfill the 
alien’s permanent partnership which in the 
opinion of the Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity was made for the purpose of pro-
curing the alien’s admission as an immi-
grant.’’; and 
(4) in paragraphs (2)(E)(i) and (3)(C)(ii), by 
inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ 
each place it appears. 
SEC. 17. REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS. 
Section 240 (8 U.S.C. 1229a) is amended— 
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(1) in the heading of subsection (c)(7)(C)(iv), 
by 
inserting 
‘‘PERMANENT
PARTNERS,’’ 
after 
‘‘SPOUSES,’’; and 
(2) in subsection (e)(1), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
SEC. 18. CANCELLATION OF REMOVAL; ADJUSTMENT OF 
STATUS. 
Section 240A(b) (8 U.S.C. 1229b(b)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(2) in the heading for paragraph (2), by insert-
ing ‘‘, PERMANENT PARTNER,’’ after ‘‘SPOUSE’’; and 
(3) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ‘‘, perma-
nent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 
SEC. 19. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF NONIMMIGRANT TO 
THAT OF PERSON ADMITTED FOR PERMA-
NENT RESIDENCE. 
(a) PROHIBITION ON ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.— 
Section 245(d) (8 U.S.C. 1255(d)) is amended by insert-
ing ‘‘or permanent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’. 
(b) AVOIDING IMMIGRATION FRAUD.—Section 245(e) 
(8 U.S.C. 1255(e)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marriage’’; and 
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(2) by adding at the end the following new 
paragraph: 
‘‘(4) Paragraph (1) and section 204(g) shall not 
apply with respect to a permanent partnership if the alien 
establishes by clear and convincing evidence to the satis-
faction of the Secretary of Homeland Security that the 
permanent partnership was entered into in good faith and 
in accordance with section 101(a)(52) and the permanent 
partnership was not entered into for the purpose of pro-
curing the alien’s admission as an immigrant and no fee 
or other consideration was given (other than a fee or other 
consideration to an attorney for assistance in preparation 
of a lawful petition) for the filing of a petition under sec-
tion 204(a) or 214(d) with respect to the alien permanent 
partner. In accordance with regulations, there shall be 
only one level of administrative appellate review for each 
alien under the previous sentence.’’. 
(c) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIENS 
PAYING FEE.—Section 245(i)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1255(i)(1)) is 
amended by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after 
‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 
(d) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN 
INFORMANTS.—Section 245(j) (8 U.S.C. 1255(j)) is 
amended— 
(1) in paragraph (1)— 
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(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘sons and daughters with 
and 
without 
permanent 
partners,’’ 
after 
‘‘daughters,’’; and 
(2) in paragraph (2)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘sons and daughters with 
and 
without 
permanent 
partners,’’ 
after 
‘‘daughters,’’. 
(e) TRAFFICKING.—Section 245(l)(1) is amended by 
inserting ‘‘permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse,’’. 
SEC. 20. APPLICATION OF CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR MIS-
REPRESENTATION AND CONCEALMENT OF 
FACTS REGARDING PERMANENT PARTNER-
SHIPS. 
Section 275(c) (8 U.S.C. 1325(c)) is amended to read 
as follows: 
‘‘(c) Any individual who knowingly enters into a mar-
riage or permanent partnership for the purpose of evading 
any provision of the immigration laws shall be imprisoned 
for not more than 5 years, or fined not more than 
$250,000, or both.’’. 
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SEC. 21. REQUIREMENTS AS TO RESIDENCE, GOOD MORAL 
CHARACTER, ATTACHMENT TO THE PRIN-
CIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION. 
Section 316(b) (8 U.S.C. 1427(b)) is amended by in-
serting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
SEC. 22. NATURALIZATION FOR PERMANENT PARTNERS OF 
CITIZENS. 
Section 319 (8 U.S.C. 1430) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; 
(2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘or perma-
nent partnership’’ after ‘‘marital union’’; 
(3) in subsection (b)(1), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(4) in subsection (b)(3), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marital union’’; 
(6) in subsection (e)(1)— 
(A) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘or permanent partner-
ship’’ after ‘‘marital union’’; and 
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(7) in subsection (e)(2), by inserting ‘‘or per-
manent partner’’ after ‘‘spouse’’. 
SEC. 23. APPLICATION OF FAMILY UNITY PROVISIONS TO 
PERMANENT PARTNERS OF CERTAIN LIFE 
ACT BENEFICIARIES. 
Section 1504 of the LIFE Act (division B of the Mis-
cellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001, as enacted into law 
by section 1(a)(4) of Public Law 106–554) is amended— 
(1) in the heading, by inserting ‘‘, PERMA-
NENT PARTNERS,’’ after ‘‘SPOUSES’’; 
(2) in subsection (a), by inserting ‘‘, permanent 
partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’; and 
(3) in each of subsections (b) and (c)— 
(A) in the subsection headings, by insert-
ing 
‘‘, 
PERMANENT
PARTNERS,’’ 
after 
‘‘SPOUSES’’; and 
(B) by inserting ‘‘, permanent partner,’’ 
after ‘‘spouse’’ each place it appears. 
SEC. 24. APPLICATION TO CUBAN ADJUSTMENT ACT. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The first section of Public Law 
89–732 (November 2, 1966; 8 U.S.C. 1255 note) is 
amended— 
(1) in the next to last sentence, by inserting ‘‘, 
permanent partner,’’ after ‘‘spouse’’ the first two 
places it appears; and 
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(2) in the last sentence, by inserting ‘‘, perma-
nent partners,’’ after ‘‘spouses’’. 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.— 
(1) IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.—Sec-
tion 101(a)(51)(D) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(51)(D)) is 
amended by striking ‘‘or spouse’’ and inserting ‘‘, 
spouse, or permanent partner’’. 
(2) VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT.—Section 
1506(c)(2)(A)(i)(IV) of the Violence Against Women 
Act of 2000 (8 U.S.C. 1229a note; division B of 
Public Law 106–386) is amended by striking ‘‘or 
spouse’’ and inserting ‘‘, spouse, or permanent part-
ner’’. 
Æ 
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