New Immigration Visa Gives Hope To Certain Illegal Aliens
Contributed by Raza Dhanji, Webmaster, husseini-islamic.org

 
Entitled the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act ("LIFE"), this legislative package represents a compromise by Republicans who rejected the Democratic proposal known as the Latino Immigration Fairness Act ("LIFA").
 
Prior to the 1996 law, certain illegal immigrants were permitted to legalize their status with the payment of a fine. The 1996 law changed all that, generally requiring illegals to return home under all circumstances except asylum.
 
Under the new Act, Section 245(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act becomes temporarily available to illegal immigrants present in the United States at the time the Bill is signed by Clinton. Under the provision, a person who--if it weren't for their illegal status--would qualify to immigrate (such as the spouse of a US citizen), may adjust status after payment of a $1000 fine is made, and providing the application is submitted prior to April 30, 2001. 
 
The ACT also provides for a new temporary visa, known as the "V" visa.  In the past, spouses and minor children of legal permanent residents have had to wait four or five years out of the country and unable to visit their spouse or parent while waiting for green card priority dates to become current. Now, recipients of this new visa will be eligible for employment, as well as protection from deportation.

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