Opinion ID: 3053913
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The LIFE Act and Amendments

Text: The Legal Immigration Family Equity Act (“LIFE Act”), INA § 245 (1999) (codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1255 (1999)), was enacted, in part, to provide a mechanism whereby the spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents could apply more quickly for immigrant visas. See 146 CONG. REC. S11851 (Dec. 15, 2000) (statement of Sen. Kennedy).1 Congress established a system of temporary visas in order to provide “a speedy mechanism for the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens to obtain their immigrant visas in the U.S., rather than wait for long periods of time outside the U.S.” Id. The LIFE Act also provided a method whereby an alien that had entered the United States without inspection or parole, but who was otherwise eligible for an immigrant visa, could apply to the Attorney General for an adjustment of status. 8 U.S.C. § 1255(i) (1999). This adjustment of status—to that of alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence—would allow the alien to remain in the United States, thus avoiding the undesirable alternative of forcing aliens to leave their families in the United States while they applied for a visa abroad. To qualify for this status adjustment, the alien had to file a petition for classification under 8 U.S.C. § 1154 on or before January 14, 1998, and pay a $1000 fee. Id. 1 Because the LIFE Act amendments were created outside of the ordinary Committee process, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary— Senators Abraham and Kennedy—provided a joint memorandum concerning the amendments. Much of the legislative history referenced here comes from this joint memorandum, as introduced by Senator Kennedy. BALAM-CHUC v. MUKASEY 14945 In 2000, Congress amended the LIFE Act to expand the class of beneficiaries who could apply for adjustment of status under INA § 245(i). Among other things, Congress moved the deadline for filing a visa petition from January 14, 1998, to April 30, 2001, for all aliens present in the United States as of the statute’s date of enactment. See 8 U.S.C. § 1255(i). Members of Congress encouraged the Immigration and Naturalization Service (“INS”) to “ensure that all potentially eligible persons have an opportunity to qualify for 245(i).” 146 CONG. REC. at S11851 (Dec. 15, 2000) (statement of Sen. Kennedy). Senator Kennedy recommended that, if necessary, “INS should accept petitions and applications before the April 30, 2001 sunset date that do not contain all necessary supporting documents, and allow additional documents to be filed after the deadline.” Id. Thus, while members of Congress encouraged flexibility, for an alien to take advantage of the adjustment of status provision of INA § 245(i) after the amendment—and avoid returning to his or her country of citizenship—the alien must have been present in the United States on December 21, 2000, and must have petitioned the Attorney General for an immigration visa prior to April 30, 2001.