H.R. 7867 – Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 3:38 PM UTC

The Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act would remove the annual caps on employment‑based visas for children who have been abused, abandoned, or neglected and who qualify for humanitarian protection. By adding a new subcategory to the immigration statutes, the bill lets these vulnerable minors obtain work visas without being counted against the overall visa limits, helping them stay in the United States legally.

Key Provisions

Amends the immigration law to treat abused, abandoned, or neglected children who qualify for humanitarian status as a separate subcategory (J) that is not subject to overall employment‑based visa caps.
Changes the employment‑based preference allocation rules so that this new subcategory (J) is included alongside existing categories, allowing these vulnerable youth to receive visas without being limited by the annual numerical limits.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

May 24, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

May 24, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued May 24, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7867

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

May 24, 2022

Mr. Gomez (for himself, Ms. Lofgren, Mr. Espaillat, Mr. García of Illinois, Ms. Sánchez, and Mr. Raskin) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To eliminate employment-based visa caps on abused, abandoned, and neglected children eligible for humanitarian status, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act.

2.

Eliminating certain employment-based visa caps

(a)

Aliens Not Subject to Direct Numerical Limitations

Section 201(b)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(1)(A)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) or (B) and inserting subparagraph (A), (B), or (J).

(b)

Preference Allocation for Employment-Based Immigrants

Section 203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(4)) is amended by striking subparagraph (A) or (B) and inserting subparagraph (A), (B), or (J).