I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5333 
To provide individuals who performed rescue, recovery, demolition, debris 
cleanup, or other related services after the September 11 terrorist attacks 
an opportunity to adjust their status to that of lawful permanent resi-
dents, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 
Ms. OCASIO-CORTEZ
(for herself, Mr. ESPAILLAT, Ms. MENG, Ms. 
VELA´ZQUEZ, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. TORRES of New York, Mr. 
TONKO, Mr. FIELDS, Mr. VARGAS, Ms. ANSARI, Mr. NADLER, Mr. 
MCGOVERN, Mr. THANEDAR, Mr. MEEKS, Mr. GARCI´A of Illinois, Ms. 
TLAIB, Mr. GOLDMAN of New York, and Mr. LATIMER) introduced the 
following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 
A BILL 
To provide individuals who performed rescue, recovery, demo-
lition, debris cleanup, or other related services after the 
September 11 terrorist attacks an opportunity to adjust 
their status to that of lawful permanent residents, 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. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘9/11 Immigrant Work-
er Freedom Act’’. 
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SEC. 2. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR CERTAIN WORKERS 
AFTER TERRORIST ATTACKS. 
(a) ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.—Notwithstanding any 
other provision of law, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
or the Attorney General shall adjust the status of any indi-
vidual described in subsection (b) to that of an alien law-
fully admitted for permanent residence if such individual 
applies for such adjustment not later than 18 months 
after the date of the enactment of this Act, which may 
be extended at the discretion of the Secretary in cases with 
compelling circumstances. 
(b) ALIENS ELIGIBLE FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STA-
TUS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The benefit provided by sub-
section (a) shall apply to any alien who— 
(A) worked or volunteered onsite in rescue, 
recovery, debris cleanup, or related support 
services in lower Manhattan (south of Canal 
St.), the Staten Island Landfill, or the barge 
loading piers, for at least 4 hours during the 
period beginning on September 11, 2001, and 
ending on September 14, 2001, for at least 24 
hours during the period beginning on Sep-
tember 11, 2001, and ending on September 30, 
2001, or for at least 80 hours during the period 
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beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending 
on July 31, 2002; 
(B) was a vehicle-maintenance worker who 
was exposed to debris from the former World 
Trade Center while retrieving, driving, cleaning, 
repairing, and maintaining vehicles contami-
nated by airborne toxins from the September 
11, 2001, terrorist attacks for any time during 
the period beginning on September 11, 2001, 
and ending on July 31, 2002; 
(C) was a member of a fire or police de-
partment (whether fire or emergency personnel, 
active or retired), worked for a recovery or 
cleanup contractor, or was a volunteer; and per-
formed rescue, recovery, demolition, debris 
cleanup, or other related services at the Pen-
tagon site of the terrorist-related aircraft crash 
of September 11, 2001, during the period be-
ginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on 
November 19, 2001; or 
(D) was a member of a fire or police de-
partment (whether fire or emergency personnel, 
active or retired), worked for a recovery or 
cleanup contractor, or was a volunteer; and per-
formed rescue, recovery, demolition, debris 
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cleanup, or other related services at the 
Shanksville, Pennsylvania, site of the terrorist- 
related aircraft crash of September 11, 2001, 
during the period beginning on September 11, 
2001, and ending on October 3, 2001. 
(2) EXCEPTION.—An alien shall not be pro-
vided any benefit under this section if the Secretary 
of Homeland Security or the Attorney General deter-
mines that the alien has willfully made a material 
misrepresentation or material omission in the proffer 
of information described in paragraph (1). 
(c) WORK AUTHORIZATION.—An alien who has ap-
plied for adjustment of status under subsection (a) shall 
be provided authorization to engage in employment in the 
United States during the pendency of such application. 
(d) FEE WAIVER BASED
ON
AN INABILITY TO 
PAY.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall waive fees with respect to the filing of 
an application under this section for an alien who 
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary 
that such alien— 
(A) is the recipient of a means-tested ben-
efit where the Federal, State, or local agency 
administering such public benefit considers the 
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income and resources of the individual in grant-
ing such benefit; 
(B) has an income is no greater than 250 
percent of the Federal poverty guidelines; or 
(C) faces extraordinary financial hardship 
that prevents them from paying the filing fee. 
(2) CORRECTIVE
FILING.—If the Secretary 
finds that an applicant is ineligible for a fee waiver 
under this subsection, the Secretary shall notify ap-
plicants of the basis for such ineligibility, and allow 
applicants 90 days from the date on which the Sec-
retary provides such notice to submit additional evi-
dence of eligibility. Such applicant shall retain the 
original filing date of the application or petition as-
sociated with the fee waiver. 
(3) FEDERAL
POVERTY
GUIDELINES.—The 
term ‘‘Federal poverty guidelines’’ has the meaning 
given such term by the Director of the Office of 
Management and Budget, as revised annually by the 
18 Secretary of Health and Human Services in ac-
cordance with section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)). 
(4) PUBLIC CHARGE.— 
(A) FINDING
OF
PUBLIC
CHARGE.—Re-
ceipt of an application for a fee waiver under 
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