Clinton signed a major immigration legislative package called the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act (LIFE) into law. The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) is developing guidance for implementation of this new law.

** The Legal Immigration & Family Equity Act (Life) Closed on April 30, 2001. The president supports the extension of The Legal Immigration & Family Equity Act (Life). We are waiting to see if Congress passes this extension. We will announce the outcome as soon as we know. **

Among the changes are the following:

Section 245(i)
	Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act will be availably temporarily to people physically present in the United States on the date of enactment, December 21, 2000. The provision will allow a person who qualifies for permanent residency, but is ineligible to adjust status in the United States because of an immigration status violation, to pay a $1,000 penalty to continue processing in the United States. In order to be eligible for 245(i) adjustment under the LIFE Act, a person must be the beneficiary of an immigrant petition or application for labor certification. Learn More>>

Temporary "V" Non-Immigrant Status
	A new temporary "V" non-immigrant status will be available to the spouses and minor children of lawful permanent residents waiting more than three years for an immigrant visa based upon an immigrant petition filed on or before the enactment date of the LIFE Act. Persons granted "V" status would receive employment authorization and are protected from removal. Learn More>>

Temporary "K" Visa Status
	Effective 08/14/01 Amendments to The LIFE Act creates a nonimmigrant classification (K-3/K-4 Visa) for spouses to citizens and their children (who have a pending petition) to expedite their entry to the United States and be reunited with their family. Learn More>>

Amnesty
	Persons who filed before October 1, 2000, for class membership in one of three "late amnesty" lawsuits (CSS v. Meese, LULAC v. INS, and Zambrano v INS) and who are eligible under the LIFE Act's amended legalization provisions may apply to adjust status during a 12-month period that begins once regulations are issued. Spouses and unmarried children of the class action claimants will be protected from certain categories of removal and will be eligible for work authorization if they entered the United States before December 1, 1988 and resided in the United States on that date. When we receive more information, we will release it here.