YourVoice.Now Summary
Civil LibertiesYour MoneyWorkers & JobsCriminal Justice & Due ProcessTransparency & AccountabilityLong-time protected status holders could apply for green cards, pay up to $1,440, and stay while they wait.
Civil Liberties
People who have or had Temporary Protected Status could apply to stay permanently after 3 years here. People removed since September 28, 2016 could apply from abroad.
Someone with an open application, or who clearly qualifies and says they will apply, could not be removed. The pause would end if the application is denied.
Homeland Security could not use or share what people put on these forms to enforce immigration law. Knowingly leaking it would bring a fine of up to $10,000.
Spouses, domestic partners, children, and unmarried adult sons and daughters could get green cards too. Unmarried sons and daughters would need 1 year here first.
People who entered without permission and later got this status are usually blocked from green cards. Counting the status as a lawful entry would open other paths, such as marriage to a citizen.
The shield would not cover national security work, fraud checks, or felony cases unrelated to immigration. Federal law enforcement could still see the files in those cases.
Your Money
Anyone applying under this new process would pay a fee that covers the cost of handling it. The law would cap that fee at $1,440.
Applicants who earned less than 150% of the federal poverty line last year would pay nothing. The fee would also be waived for people under 18, people in foster care, and people with a serious, lasting disability.
Workers & Jobs
Homeland Security would have to let applicants work legally while their case is decided. That covers the whole wait, however long it takes.
Criminal Justice & Due Process
A conviction that was expunged or set aside after rehabilitation would not block an application. Serious crimes and security concerns still would.
Transparency & Accountability
Ending a country's protected status would trigger a written report to the House and Senate Judiciary Committees. It would have to cover that country's economy, stability, and ability to take its citizens back.
Before deciding whether to extend or end a country's protected status, Homeland Security would have to get a recommendation from the State Department. It would be due at least 90 days ahead.
More about this bill
People with Temporary Protected Status could apply for a green card and stay for good. That status is short-term permission to live here. It goes to people from countries torn by war or disaster. To qualify, you would need to live here 3 years without a long break. You would also have to pass criminal and security checks. Your spouse, partner, and children could apply too. People forced to leave since September 28, 2016 could apply from abroad. Applying would cost up to $1,440. The fee would be waived for people under 18 and people in foster care. It would also be waived for those with a serious, lasting disability. People earning under 150% of the poverty line would pay nothing. While your case is open, you could not be deported. You could work legally and ask to travel. These green cards would not use up the yearly caps on other visas. Homeland Security could not use what is on the form to deport people. Knowingly leaking it would bring a fine of up to $10,000. It could still be shared for security work, fraud checks, and felony cases not tied to immigration. Time under this status would also count as a lawful entry. That opens other paths to a green card, such as marriage to a citizen. When the government ends a country's status, it would have to tell Congress within 3 days. The report would cover that country's economy, stability, and ability to take people back.
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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