# Venezuelan Adjustment Act: What It Does

This bill creates a special pathway for Venezuelan nationals currently in the United States to become permanent residents (green card holders). Essentially, it's a one-time opportunity for people from Venezuela who have already made it to America to obtain legal permanent status without going through the normal immigration process.

To qualify, you need to be a Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. by December 31, 2021, and have lived here continuously for at least one year. The bill also covers spouses, children, and unmarried adult children of eligible Venezuelans. You have three years from when this law passes to apply. The government will waive certain technical grounds that normally block people from getting permanent residency—things like minor visa violations or certain paperwork issues—though serious crimes like felonies still disqualify you. If you've previously been ordered to leave the country, you can still apply under this program without having to file extra legal motions first.

While your application is being processed, you get important protections. The government can't deport you during the review period, and if your case takes more than six months to decide, you automatically get permission to work legally in the United States. Once approved, you become a permanent resident with all the associated benefits, including the ability to eventually apply for citizenship. This bill doesn't reduce the total number of immigrant visas available to other people, so it's essentially adding a new category rather than taking spots from existing programs.

Venezuelan Adjustment Act

Soto, Darren

Venezuelan Adjustment Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant lawful permanent resident status to qualifying nationals of Venezuela. A national of Venezuela shall be eligible if that individual (1) applies for lawful permanent resident status no later than three years after this bill's enactment, (2) entered the United States on or before December 31, 2021, (3) has been continuously physically present in the United States for at least one year when filing their application, (4) is otherwise eligible to receive an immigrant visa, and (5) is not inadmissible under various grounds such as a conviction for an aggravated felony. Certain grounds for inadmissibility, such as the public charge ground, shall not apply. The spouse, child, or unmarried son or daughter of an eligible individual shall also be eligible. If an individual has applied for lawful permanent resident status under this bill and is subject to exclusion, deportation, or removal proceedings, DHS may not order that individual's removal unless DHS has made a final determination to deny the application. DHS must provide work authorization to an individual whose application has been pending for more than 180 days, and may also provide authorization before that.