H.R. 3188House115th Congress (2017-2019)In Committee

For the relief of Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard.

AI-Generated Summary

Updated April 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM UTC

The bill provides a special immigration pathway for three named individuals—Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard—allowing them to apply for an immigrant visa or adjust to permanent resident status despite existing immigration restrictions. It sets a two‑year window to file the application and limits any impact on overall visa numbers, while also preventing their close relatives from receiving any immigration benefits based on their relationship.

Key Provisions

Overrides certain sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act to make the three individuals eligible for an immigrant visa or adjustment to lawful permanent residence.
If any of them enter the U.S. before the filing deadline, they are treated as having entered lawfully and can adjust status under the Act as of the bill’s enactment date.
Applications (and required fees) must be submitted within two years of the bill becoming law.
The Secretary of State must reduce the total immigrant visa allocation for the individuals’ country of birth by three visas in the current or next fiscal year.
The natural parents, brothers, and sisters of the three individuals are barred from receiving any immigration benefits because of their relationship to them.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

July 24, 2017

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

July 11, 2017

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

July 11, 2017

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

July 24, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued July 11, 2017

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3188

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

July 11, 2017

Mr. Franks of Arizona introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

For the relief of Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard.

Permanent resident status for Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard

(a)

In general

Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b) of section 201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard shall each be eligible for issuance of an immigrant visa or for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence upon filing an application for issuance of an immigrant visa under section 204 of such Act or for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident.

(b)

Adjustment of status

If Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, or Charles Matthew William Gard enters the United States before the filing deadline specified in subsection (c), he or she shall be considered to have entered and remained lawfully and shall, if otherwise eligible, be eligible for adjustment of status under section 245 of the Immigration and Nationality Act as of the date of the enactment of this Act.

(c)

Deadline for application and payment of fees

Subsections (a) and (b) shall apply only if the application for issuance of an immigrant visa or the application for adjustment of status is filed with appropriate fees within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act.

(d)

Reduction of immigrant visa number

Upon the granting of an immigrant visa or permanent residence to Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard, the Secretary of State shall instruct the proper officer to reduce by 3, during the current or next following fiscal year, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the aliens’ birth under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act or, if applicable, the total number of immigrant visas that are made available to natives of the country of the aliens’ birth under section 202(e) of such Act.

(e)

Denial of preferential immigration treatment for certain relatives

The natural parents, brothers, and sisters of Christopher William Gard, Constance Rhoda Keely Yates, and Charles Matthew William Gard shall not, by virtue of such relationship, be accorded any right, privilege, or status under the Immigration and Nationality Act.