H.R. 3006 – Uniting American Families Act

109th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3006

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 21, 2005

Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Meek of Florida, Mr. Gutierrez, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Smith of Washington, Mrs. Lowey, Mr. Andrews, Mr. Berman, Mr. Michaud, Mr. Delahunt, Mrs. Napolitano, Mr. Crowley, Mr. Rothman, Mr. Engel, Mr. Honda, Mr. Moran of Virginia, Mr. Holt, Mr. Inslee, Mr. Sanders, Mr. Tierney, Mr. George Miller of California, Ms. Lee, Mr. Brown of Ohio, Ms. Woolsey, Ms. Linda T. Sánchez of California, Mr. McDermott, Ms. Harman, Mr. Sabo, Mr. Farr, Mr. Kolbe, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Mr. Allen, Mr. Serrano, Ms. Corrine Brown of Florida, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Payne, Mr. Lewis of Georgia, Mr. McNulty, Mr. Kucinich, Mr. Gonzalez, Mr. Waxman, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Berkley, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Filner, Mr. Pastor, Mrs. Jones of Ohio, Mr. Rangel, Mr. Weiner, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Abercrombie, Ms. Eshoo, Mr. Pallone, Mr. Moore of Kansas, Mr. Simmons, Mr. Stark, Mrs. Capps, and Mr. Sherman) introduced 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 permanent residents to sponsor their permanent partners for residence in the United States, and for other purposes.

Short title; amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as—

(1)

the Uniting American Families Act; or

(2)

the Permanent Partners Immigration Act.

(b)

Amendments to Immigration and Nationality 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 section or provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

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 relationship 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.

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 remarries or enters a permanent partnership with another person..

Numerical limitations on individual foreign 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 subparagraph (A), by inserting , permanent partners, after spouses; and

(3)

in the subparagraph heading for subparagraph (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.

Allocation of immigrant visas

(a)

Preference allocation for family members 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 daughters;

(2)

in subparagraph (A), by inserting , permanent partners, after spouses; and

(3)

in subparagraph (B), by inserting without permanent partners 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)

in the text, 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,.

(d)

Treatment of family members

Section 203(d) (8 U.S.C. 1153(d)) is amended by inserting , permanent partner, after spouse each place such term appears.

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 partnership 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 partnership 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.

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 permanent partner after spouse.

Asylum

Section 208(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(3)) is amended—

(1)

in the paragraph heading, by inserting or permanent partner after spouse; and

(2)

in the text, by inserting or permanent partner after spouse.

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.

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 permanent partner, after spouse,;

(2)

in paragraph (4)(C)(i)(I), by inserting , permanent partner, after spouse;

(3)

in paragraph (6)(E)(ii), by inserting permanent partner, after spouse,; and

(4)

in paragraph (9)(B)(v), by inserting , permanent 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 , permanent partner, after spouse.

(c)

Waivers of inadmissibility on health-related 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 partner, after spouse,.

(e)

Waiver of inadmissibility for misrepresentation

Section 212(i)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(i)(1)) is amended by inserting permanent partner, after spouse,.

11.

Nonimmigrant status for permanent partners awaiting the availability of an immigrant visa

Section 214(r) (8 U.S.C. 1184(r)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by inserting or permanent partner after spouse; and

(2)

by inserting or permanent partnership after marriage each place such term appears.

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 section 216 (8 U.S.C. 1186a) is amended by inserting and permanent partners after spouses.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents 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 permanent partner after spouse;

(2)

in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting or permanent partner after spouse;

(3)

in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting permanent partner, after spouse,; and

(4)

in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting permanent 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 subsection heading, by inserting or permanent partnership after marriage;

(2)

in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting or permanent 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 terminated,; 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 permanent 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 subparagraph (A), by inserting or permanent partnership after marriage;

(2)

in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting or permanent partnership after marriage;

(3)

in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by inserting before 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 satisfy the criteria for being considered a permanent partnership under this Act, after terminated,; 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 partnership 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 partnership after marriage each place such term appears;

(2)

in paragraph (2), by inserting or permanent partnership after marriage;

(3)

in paragraph (3), by inserting or permanent 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 partnership after marriage.

13.

Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, spouses, permanent partners, and children

(a)

Section heading

(1)

In general

The section heading for section 216A (8 U.S.C. 1186b) is amended by inserting or permanent partners after spouses.

(2)

Clerical amendment

The table of contents is amended by amending the item relating to section 216A to read as follows:

Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien entrepreneurs, 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 such term 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 inserting 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 (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 partner after spouse each place such term appears.

14.

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 such term 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 or other documentation procured on the basis of a permanent partnership entered into less than 2 years prior to such admission and which, within 2 years subsequent to such admission, is terminated because the criteria for permanent partnership are no longer fulfilled, unless the alien establishes 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 Security was made for the purpose of procuring the alien’s admission as an immigrant.

; and

(4)

in paragraphs (2)(E)(i) and (3)(C)(ii), by inserting or permanent partner after spouse each place such term appears.

15.

Removal proceedings

Section 240(e)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1229a(e)(1)) is amended by inserting or permanent partner after spouse.

16.

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 permanent partner after spouse;

(2)

in the paragraph heading for paragraph (2), by inserting , permanent partner, after spouse; and

(3)

in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting , permanent partner, after spouse each place such term appears.

17.

Adjustment of status of nonimmigrant to that of person admitted for permanent residence

(a)

Prohibition on adjustment of status

Section 245(d) (8 U.S.C. 1255(d)) is amended by inserting 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 permanent partnership after marriage; and

(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 satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security that the permanent partnership was entered into in good faith and in accordance with section 101(a)(51) and the permanent partnership was not entered into for the purpose of procuring 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 section 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)(B) (8 U.S.C. 1255(i)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting or permanent partner after spouse each place such term appears.

18.

Misrepresentation and concealment of facts

Section 275(c) (8 U.S.C. 1325(c)) is amended to read as follows:

(c)

Any individual who knowingly enters into a marriage 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.

19.

Requirements as to residence, good moral character, attachment to the principles of the constitution

Section 316(b) (8 U.S.C. 1427(b)) is amended by inserting or permanent partner after spouse.

20.

Former citizens of United States regaining United States citizenship

Section 324(a) (8 U.S.C. 1435(a)) is amended, in the matter following after September 22, 1922,, by inserting or permanent partnership after marriage each place such term appears.

21.

Application of family unity provisions to permanent partners of certain LIFE Act beneficiaries

Section 1504 of division B of the Miscellaneous Appropriations Act, 2001, as enacted into law by section 1(a)(4) of Public Law 106–554, is amended—

(1)

in the section heading, by inserting , permanent 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 inserting , permanent partners, after spouses; and

(B)

by inserting , permanent partner, after spouse each place such term appears.

Uniting American Families Act

Legislative Activity

Bill Text