Certain Hong Kong residents would qualify for U.S. permanent residency

Immigration officials would grant permanent residency to people who meet the bill's rules. Hong Kong permanent residents could qualify regardless of where they were born. Applicants must have received Deferred Enforced Departure, a temporary deportation pause, under the August 5, 2021, presidential action or its January 26, 2023, or January 15, 2025, extensions. They must have lived continuously in the United States since January 15, 2025. Authorized absences totaling up to 180 days are allowed, but they must not have returned to Hong Kong or China since that date. They cannot have convictions for a felony (a serious crime) or two misdemeanors (less serious crimes) committed in the United States. They must not face extradition, meaning transfer to another government for a criminal case or punishment. These applicants must apply no later than one year after the bill becomes law.

Eligible family members could also receive permanent residency. This covers spouses, children, and unmarried adult children of Hong Kong permanent residents who qualify under the bill. Some legal reasons for denying entry or deporting someone would not apply to applicants under this bill. Family members must meet the remaining rules for entering and staying in the United States.

Applicants would receive permission to work in the United States. This covers people who submit a permanent residency application under this bill. Protection from immigration detention, deportation, and deportation cases would last while an application is pending.

Any earlier deportation orders would be canceled for approved applicants. Cancellation and backdating would apply only to applicants granted permanent residency under the bill. These approvals would not count toward limits on the number of immigrants admitted. The person's permanent residency would be treated as starting on the date they arrived in the United States.