The Immigration and Naturalization Service announced today that it will next week issue a final rule which will allow applicants filing for adjustment of status to permanent residency under the Legal Immigration Family Equity (LIFE) Act’s legalization provisions to submit applications until May 31, 2002 . The INS announced a May 31, 2002 deadline in a previously published interim final rule.
“With the issuance of the final rule for benefits under the LIFE Act provisions, we are hopeful that more eligible applicants will submit their applications for lawful permanent residency in the United States ,” said INS Commissioner James Ziglar. “We believe the extended application period will provide a golden opportunity for all eligible applicants to become lawful permanent residents.”
The final rule was very similar to the earlier interim rule. The rule clarifies that spouses or children of persons who filed a written claim for class membership are eligible to file an application for LIFE Legalization. The LIFE Act also provides that certain spouses and children of eligible applicants under LIFE Legalization will be protected from removal and be eligible for employment authorization for the period of time in which they have been afforded Family Unity protection. Aliens who might benefit from the Family Unity provisions of the LIFE Act Amendments are those who:
(1) Are currently in the United States ;
(2) Are the spouse or unmarried child of an alien who is eligible for adjustment under LIFE Legalization; and
(3) Entered the United States before December 1, 1988 , and were residing in the United States on such date
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