Nationals from countries ever given Temporary Protected Status (TPS — a humanitarian designation for people unable to safely return home) who have lived continuously in the United States for at least 3 years and pass criminal and national security background checks can apply for a green card under a new process created by this bill. The application fee is capped at $1,440 and is waived for applicants under 18, those earning below 150% of the federal poverty line, people in foster care, or those with serious chronic disabilities. While an application is pending, the applicant cannot be deported and receives automatic work authorization; spouses, domestic partners, and children of approved applicants can also adjust their status. Green cards issued through this program do not count against the annual numerical limits set for other immigrant categories. The Department of Homeland Security is barred from using any information submitted in applications for immigration enforcement purposes, and anyone who illegally discloses that information faces a fine of up to $10,000. Whenever DHS ends a country's TPS designation, it must report to Congress within 3 days with detailed data — including the country's GDP, political stability, and capacity to absorb returning nationals — so lawmakers can assess whether the termination is appropriate.
Civil Liberties
- Application data — barred from use in immigration enforcement, protecting applicants who come forward
- Stay of removal — applicants cannot be deported while their case is pending, adding procedural protection
- $10,000 penalty — imposed on anyone who unlawfully discloses application information
Transparency & Accountability
- Mandatory congressional report — required within 3 days of any TPS termination, with economic and political metrics
- Report content — must include GDP, repatriation capacity, political stability, and country's request history
Congressional Summary
Safe Environment from Countries Under Repression and Emergency Act or the SECURE ActThis bill allows qualified nationals of a country that has or had a temporary protected status designation (certain countries in which nationals experience conflict or other unsafe conditions) to obtain lawful permanent residence (sometimes referred to as a green card).To qualify for a green card, such an individual must (1) have or had temporary protected status, (2) have qualified for such status on certain dates, or (3) have been present in the United States due to having been granted deferred enforced departure status that extended past a certain date. Furthermore, the individual must (1) have been continuously present in the United States for three years before applying for a green card or before being removed after a certain date, (2) not be inadmissible or deportable for certain reasons, and (3) pass applicable background checks.The continuous presence requirement may be waived in certain instances.Such an individual's spouse, domestic partner, child, or unmarried child may also obtain a green card under this bill upon meeting certain requirements.An individual with a pending application shall receive work authorization and be eligible for travel authorization.An individual may not be removed if the individual (1) has a pending application, or (2) is prima facie eligible for a green card under this bill and intends to apply.Information from applications may not be used or shared for immigration enforcement, with limited exceptions such as for identifying fraudulent claims.
Details
- Congress
- 119th
- Chamber
- Senate
- Status
- summarized
- Action
- Introduced in Senate
- Action Date
- 2025-06-18
- Date Added
- 2026-06-04
- Source
- Congress.gov →
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