,,ii  #aag? ,,congress  #b;d ,session   
,s4 #cgba  ,,9 ,,! ,,s5ate ,,( ,,!      
,,unit$ ,,/ates  ,m>* #a1 #bjbb,mr4     
,durb9 7= himself1 ,mr4 ,leahy1 ,ms4    
,hirono1 ,ms4 ,cortez ,ma/o1 ,ms4       
,duckwor?1 & ,mr4 ,padilla7 introduc$ ! 
foll[+ bill2 :i* 0 read twice & ref]r$  
to ! ,committee on ! ,judici>y  ,a      
,,bill  ,to am5d ! ,immigration &       
,nationality ,act to end ! immigrant    
visa backlog1 & = o!r purposes4  #a4    
,%ort title ,?is ,act may be cit$ z !   
,resolv+ ,ext5d$ ,limbo = ,immigrant    
,employees & ,families ,act or !        
,,relief ,act4  #b4 ,num]ical limitation
 to any s+le =eign /ate  7a7 ,9 g5]al   
,section #bjb7;a77#b7 ( ! ,immigration &
 ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4        
#aaeb7;a77#b77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 !      
p>agraph head+1 by /rik+ &              
employm5t-bas$2  7#b7 by /rik+ 7#c71    
7#d71 & 7#e71 & ins]t+ 7#c7 & 7#d712    
7#c7 by /rik+ subsections 7a7 & 7b7 (   
section #bjc & ins]t+ section #bjc7;a72 
7#d7 by /rik+ #g & ins]t+ #ae2 &  7#e7  

by /rik+ su* subsections & ins]t+ su*   
section4  7b7 ,con=m+ am5dm5ts ,section 
#bjb ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality    
,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaeb7 is am5d$--    
7#a7 9 subsection 7a77#c71 by /rik+ bo? 
subsections 7a7 & 7b7 ( section #bjc &  
ins]t+ section #bjc7;a72  7#b7 by /rik+ 
subsection 7a77#e72 &  7#c7 by am5d+    
subsection 7e7 to read z foll[s3  7e7   
,special rules = c\ntries at ceil+ ,if x
 is det]m9$ t ! total numb] ( immigrant 
visas made available "u section #bjc7;a7
 to natives ( any s+le =eign /ate or    
dep5d5t area w exce$ ! num]ical         
limitation specifi$ 9 subsection 7a77#b7
 9 any fiscal ye>1 9 det]m9+ ! allotm5t 
( immigrant visa numb]s to natives "u   
section #bjc7;a71 visa numb]s ) respect 
to natives ( t /ate or area %all be     
allocat$ 7to ! ext5t practicable &      
o!rwise consi/5t ) ?is section & section
 #bjc7 9 a mann] s t1 except z provid$ 9
 subsection 7a77#d71 ! proportion ( !   
visa numb]s made available "u ea* (     
p>agraphs 7#a7 ?r\gh 7#d7 ( section     

#bjc7;a7 is equal to ! ratio ( ! total  
numb] ( visas made available "u !       
respective p>agraph to ! total numb] (  
visas made available "u section         
#bjc7;a74  4  7c7 ,c\ntry-,specific     
(fset ,section #b ( ! ,*9ese ,/ud5t     
,protection ,act ( #aiib 7#h ,u4,s4,c4  
#abee note7 is am5d$-- 7#a7 9 subsection
 7a71 9 ! matt] prec$+ p>agraph 7#a71 by
 /rik+ subsection 7e77 & ins]t+         
subsection 7d772  7#b7 by /rik+         
subsection 7d72 &  7#c7 by r$esignat+   
subsection 7e7 z subsection 7d74  7d7   
,effective date ,! am5dm5ts made by ?is 
section %all take effect z if enact$ on 
,septemb] #cj1 #bjba1 & %all apply to   
fiscal ye>s beg9n+ ) fiscal ye> #bjbb4  
7e7 ,transition rules = employm5t-,bas$ 
immigrants  7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,subject to ! 
succe$+ p>agraphs ( ?is subsection &    
not)/&+ title ,,ii ( ! ,immigration &   
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaea et
 seq471 ! foll[+ rules %all apply3 7,a7 
,= fiscal ye> #bjbb1 #ae p]c5t ( !      
immigrant visas made available "u ea* ( 

p>agraphs 7#b71 7#c71 & 7#e7 ( section  
#bjc7;b7 ( su* ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4       
#aaec7;b77 %all be allott$ to immigrants
 :o are natives ( a =eign /ate or       
dep5d5t area t is n "o ( ! two /ates ) !
 l>ge/ aggregate numb]s ( natives :o are
 b5efici>ies ( approv$ petitions =      
immigrant /atus "u su* p>agraphs4  7,b7 
,= fiscal ye> #bjbc1 #aj p]c5t ( !      
immigrant visas made available "u ea* ( 
su* p>agraphs %all be allott$ to        
immigrants :o are natives ( a =eign /ate
 or dep5d5t area t is n "o ( ! two /ates
 ) ! l>ge/ aggregate numb]s ( natives :o
 are b5efici>ies ( approv$ petitions =  
immigrant /atus "u su* p>agraphs4  7,c7 
,= fiscal ye> #bjbd1 #aj p]c5t ( !      
immigrant visas made available "u ea* ( 
su* p>agraphs %all be allott$ to        
immigrants :o are natives ( a =eign /ate
 or dep5d5t area t is n "o ( ! two /ates
 ) ! l>ge/ aggregate numb]s ( natives :o
 are b5efici>ies ( approv$ petitions =  
immigrant /atus "u su* p>agraphs4  7#b7 
,p]-c\ntry levels  7,a7 ,res]v$ visas ,)

 respect to ! visas res]v$ "u ea* (     
subp>agraphs 7,a7 ?r\gh 7,c7 ( p>agraph 
7#a71 ! numb] ( su* visas made available
 to natives ( any s+le =eign /ate or    
dep5d5t area 9 ! appropriate fiscal ye> 
may n exce$ #be p]c5t 79 ! case ( a s+le
 =eign /ate7 or #b p]c5t 79 ! case ( a  
dep5d5t area7 ( ! total numb] ( su*     
visas4  7,b7 ,unres]v$ visas ,) respect 
to ! immigrant visas made available "u  
ea* ( p>agraphs 7#b71 7#c71 & 7#e7 (    
section #bjc7;b7 ( su* ,act 7#h         
,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;b77 & n res]v$ "u      
p>agraph 7#a71 = ea* ( fiscal ye>s      
#bjbb1 #bjbc1 & #bjbd1 n m ?an #he p]c5t
 %all be allott$ to immigrants :o are   
natives ( any s+le =eign /ate4  7#c7    
,special rule to prev5t unus$ visas ,if1
 ) respect to fiscal ye> #bjbb1 #bjbc1  
or #bjbd1 ! op]ation ( p>agraphs 7#a7 & 
7#b7 ( ?is subsection w\ld prev5t !     
total numb] ( immigrant visas made      
available "u p>agraph 7#b7 or 7#c7 (    
section #bjc7;b7 ( su* ,act 7#h         
,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;b77 f be+ issu$1 su*   

visas may be issu$ dur+ ! rema9d] ( su* 
fiscal ye> )\t reg>d to p>agraphs 7#a7 &
 7#b7 ( ?is subsection4  7#d7           
,transition rule = curr5tly approv$     
b5efici>ies  7,a7 ,9 g5]al ,not)/&+     
section #bjb ( ! ,immigration &         
,nationality ,act1 z am5d$ by ?is ,act1 
immigrant visas "u section #bjc7;b7 ( ! 
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;b77 %all be allocat$   
su* t no ali5 describ$ 9 subp>agraph    
7,b7 receives a visa lat] ?an ! ali5    
o!rwise w\ld h receiv$ said visa _h ?is 
,act n be5 enact$4  7,b7 ,ali5 describ$ 
,an ali5 is describ$ 9 ?is subp>agraph  
if ! ali5 is ! b5efici>y ( a petition = 
an immigrant visa "u section #bjc7;b7 ( 
! ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h  
,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;b77 t 0 approv$ prior  
to ! date ( enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7#e7  
,rules = *>geability ,section #bjb7;b7 (
 su* ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaeb7;b77 %all 
apply 9 det]m9+ ! =eign /ate to :i* an  
ali5 is *>geable = purposes ( ?is       
subsection4  7#f7 ,ensur+ availability (

 immigrant visas ,= ea* ( fiscal ye>s   
#bjbb ?r\gh #bjbf1 not)/&+ sections #bja
 & #bjb ( ! ,immigration & ,nationality 
,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaea1 #aaeb71 z     
am5d$ by ?is ,act1 additional immigrant 
visas "u section #bjc ( ! ,immigration &
 ,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7 
%all be made available & allocat$-- 7,a7
 su* t no ali5 :o is a b5efici>y ( a    
petition = an immigrant visa "u su*     
section #bjc receives a visa lat] ?an ! 
ali5 o!rwise w\ld h receiv$ su* visa _h 
?is ,act n be5 enact$2 &  7,b7 to p]mit 
all visas to be di/ribut$ 9 accordance )
 ?is section4  #c4 ,end+ immigrant visa 
backlog  7a7 ,9 g5]al ,9 addition to any
 immigrant visa made available "u !     
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq471 z am5d$ by ?is
 ,act1 subject to p>agraphs 7#a7 & 7#b71
 ! ,secret>y ( ,/ate %all make immigrant
 visas available to-- 7#a7 ali5s :o are 
b5efici>ies ( petitions fil$ "u         
subsection 7b7 ( section #bjc ( su* ,act
 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7 be=e ! date ( !   

enactm5t ( ?is ,act2 &  7#b7 ali5s :o   
are b5efici>ies ( petitions fil$ "u     
subsection 7a7 ( su* section be=e ! date
 ( ! enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7b7          
,allocation ( visas ,! visas made       
available "u ?is section %all be        
allocat$ z foll[s3 7#a7                 
,employm5t-sponsor$ immigrant visas ,9  
ea* ( fiscal ye>s #bjbb ?r\gh #bjbf1 !  
,secret>y ( ,/ate %all allocate to ali5s
 describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#a7 a numb] (
 immigrant visas equal to #ae ( ! numb] 
( ali5s describ$ 9 su* subsection !     
visas ( :om h n be5 issu$ z ( ! date ( !
 enactm5t ( ?is ,act4  7#b7             
,family-sponsor$ immigrant visas ,9 ea* 
( fiscal ye>s #bjbb ?r\gh #bjbf1 !      
,secret>y ( ,/ate %all allocate to ali5s
 describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#b7 a numb] (
 immigrant visas equal to #ae ( !       
diff]5ce betwe5-- 7,a7 ! numb] ( ali5s  
describ$ 9 su* subsection ! visas ( :om 
h n be5 issu$ z ( ! date ( ! enactm5t ( 
?is ,act2 &  7,b7 ! numb] ( ali5s       
describ$ 9 subsection 7a77#a74  7c7     

,ord] ( issuance = previ\sly fil$       
applications ,! visas made available "u 
?is section %all be issu$ 9 accordance )
 section #bjb ( ! ,immigration &        
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaeb71 
z am5d$ by ?is ,act1 9 ! ord] 9 :i* !   
petitions "u section #bjc ( su* ,act 7#h
 ,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7 7 fil$4  #d4 ,keep+   
,am]ican families toge!r  7a7           
,reclassification ( sp\ses & m9or *ildr5
 ( lawful p]man5t resid5ts z imm$iate   
relatives & exemption ( d]ivatives ,!   
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaja et seq47 is am5d$-- 7#a7
 9 section #bja7;b7 7#h ,u4,s4,c4       
#aaea7;b77-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 7#a71 by   
add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7,f7 ,ali5s :o 
d]ive /atus "u section #bjc7;d74  2 &   
7,b7 by am5d+ p>agraph 7#b7 to read z   
foll[s3  7#b7 7,a7 ,imm$iate relatives  
,ali5s :o are imm$iate relatives4  7,b7 
,def9ition ( imm$iate relative ,9 ?is   
p>agraph1 ! t]m imm$iate relative       
means-- 7i7 a *ild1 sp\se1 or p>5t ( a  
citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 except t 9 !  

case ( su* a p>5t su* citiz5 %all be at 
lea/ #ba ye>s ( age2  7ii7 a *ild or    
sp\se ( an ali5 lawfully admitt$ =      
p]man5t resid5ce2  7iii7 a *ild or sp\se
 ( an ali5 describ$ 9 clause 7i71 :o is 
accompany+ or foll[+ to jo9 ! ali52     
7iv7 a *ild or sp\se ( an ali5 describ$ 
9 clause 7ii71 :o is accompany+ or      
foll[+ to jo9 ! ali52  7v7 an ali5      
admitt$ "u section #baa7;a7 on ! basis (
 a prior issuance ( a visa to ! ali5's  
accompany+ p>5t :o is an imm$iate       
relative2 &  7vi7 an ali5 born to an    
ali5 lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t resid5ce
 dur+ a tempor>y visit abroad4  7,c7    
,treatm5t ( sp\se & *ildr5 ( deceas$    
citiz5 or lawful p]man5t resid5t ,if an 
ali5 :o 0 ! sp\se or *ild ( a citiz5 ( !
 ,unit$ ,/ates or ( an ali5 lawfully    
admitt$ = p]man5t resid5ce & 0 n legally
 sep>at$ f ! citiz5 or lawful p]man5t   
resid5t at ! "t ( ! citiz5's or lawful  
p]man5t resid5t's dea? files a petition 
"u section #bjd7;a77#a77;,b71 ! ali5    
sp\se 7& ea* *ild ( ! ali57 %all rema91 

= purposes ( ?is p>agraph1 an imm$iate  
relative dur+ ! p]iod beg9n+ on ! date (
 ! citiz5's or p]man5t resid5t's dea? & 
end+ on ! date on :i* ! ali5 sp\se      
rem>ries4  7,d7 ,protection ( victims ( 
abuse ,an ali5 :o has fil$ a petition "u
 clause 7iii7 or 7iv7 ( section         
#bjd7;a77#a77;,a7 %all rema91 = purposes
 ( ?is p>agraph1 an imm$iate relative if
 ! ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5 or lawful       
p]man5t resid5t sp\se or p>5t loses     
,unit$ ,/ates citiz5%ip on acc\nt ( !   
abuse4  2 &  7#b7 9 section #bjc7;a7 7#h
 ,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;a77-- 7,a7 9 p>agraph 
7#a71 by /rik+ #bc1djj & ins]t+         
#aaa1ccd2 &  7,b7 by am5d+ p>agraph 7#b7
 to read z foll[s3  7#b7 ,unm>ri$ sons &
 unm>ri$ daught]s ( lawful p]man5t      
resid5ts ,qualifi$ immigrants :o are !  
unm>ri$ sons or unm>ri$ daught]s 7b are 
n ! *ildr57 ( ali5s lawfully admitt$ =  
p]man5t resid5ce %all be allocat$ visas 
9 a numb] n to exce$ #bf1bff1 plus--    
7,a7 ! numb] ( visas by :i* ! worldwide 
level exce$s #bbf1jjj2 &  7,b7 ! numb] (

 visas n requir$ = ! class specifi$ 9   
p>agraph 7#a74  4  7b7 ,protect+ *ildr5 
f ag+ out ,section #bjc7;h7 ( !         
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaec7;h77 is am5d$-- 7#a7 by 
am5d+ p>agraph 7#a7 to read z foll[s3   
7#a7 ,9 g5]al ,= purposes ( subsection  
7d71 a det]m9ation ( :e!r an ali5       
satisfies ! age requirem5t 9 ! matt]    
prec$+ subp>agraph 7,a7 ( section       
#aja7;b77#a7 %all be made us+ ! age ( ! 
ali5 on ! date on :i* ! petition is fil$
 ) ! ,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security "u   
section #bjd4  2  7#b7 by am5d+ p>agraph
 7#b7 to read z foll[s3  7#b7 ,petitions
 describ$ ,a petition describ$ 9 ?is    
p>agraph is a petition fil$ "u section  
#bjd = classification (-- 7,a7 ! ali5's 
p>5t "u subsection 7a71 7b71 or 7c72 or 
7,b7 ! ali5 z an imm$iate relative bas$ 
on classification z a *ild (-- 7i7 a    
citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates2 or  7ii7 a    
lawful p]man5t resid5t4  2  7#c7 9      
p>agraph 7#c71 by /rik+ subsections     
7a77#b77;,a7 & & ins]t+ subsection2 &   

7#d7 by add+ at ! end ! foll[+3  7#e7   
,treatm5t = nonimmigrant categories     
purposes ,an ali5 dep5d5t treat$ z a    
*ild = immigrant visa purposes "u ?is   
subsection %all be treat$ z a dep5d5t   
*ild = nonimmigrant categories4  4  7c7 
,con=m+ am5dm5ts  7#a7 ,def9itions      
,section #aja7;a77#ae77,k77ii7 ( !      
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaja7;a77#ae77,k77ii77 is    
am5d$ by /rik+ section                  
#bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+ section   
#bja7;b77#b7 7o!r ?an clause 7v7 or 7vi7
 ( subp>agraph 7,b774  7#b7 ,rules =    
det]m9+ :e!r c]ta9 ali5s are imm$iate   
relatives ,section #bja7;f7 ( !         
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aaea7;f77 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9  
p>agraph 7#a71 by /rik+ p>agraphs 7#b7 &
 7#c71 & ins]t+ p>agraph 7#b712  7,b7 by
 /rik+ p>agraph 7#b72  7,c7 by          
r$esignat+ p>agraphs 7#c7 & 7#d7 z      
p>agraphs 7#b7 & 7#c71 respectively2 &  
7,d7 9 p>agraph 7#c71 z s r$esignat$1 by
 /rik+ ?r\gh 7#c7 & ins]t+ & 7#b74  7#c7

 ,p] c\ntry level ,section              
#bjb7;a77#a77;,a7 ( ! ,immigration &    
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aaeb7;a77#a77;,a77 is am5d$ by /rik+   
section #bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+   
section #bja7;b77#b7 7o!r ?an clause 7v7
 or 7vi7 ( subp>agraph 7,b774  7#d7     
,num]ical limitation to any s+le =eign  
/ate ,section #bjb7;a77#d7 7#h ,u4,s4,c4
 #aaeb7;a77#d77 is am5d$-- 7,a7 by /rik+
 subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,b72  7,b7 by     
r$esignat+ subp>agraphs 7,c7 & 7,d7 z   
subp>agraphs 7,a7 & 7,b71 respectively2 
&  7,c7 9 subp>agraph 7,a71 z s         
r$esignat$-- 7i7 by /rik+ ! undesignat$ 
matt] foll[+ clause 7ii72  7ii7 by /rik+
 clause 7ii72  7iii7 9 clause 7i71 by   
/rik+ 1 or & ins]t+ a p]iod2 &  7iv7 9 !
 matt] prec$+ clause 7i71 by /rik+      
section #bjc7;a77#b77;,b7 may n exce$ & 
all t foll[s ?r\gh #bc p]c5t 9 clause   
7i7 & ins]t+ section #bjc7;a77#b7 may n 
exce$ #bc p]c5t4  7#e7 ,proc$ures =     
grant+ immigrant /atus ,section #bjd ( !
 ,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h   

,u4,s4,c4 #aaed7 is am5d$-- 7,a7 9      
subsection 7a7-- 7i7 9 p>agraph 7#a7--  
7,i7 9 subp>agraph 7,a7-- 7aa7 9 clause 
7i71 by /rik+ section                   
#bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+ clause 7i7
 or 7ii7 ( section #bja7;b77#b77;,b72   
7bb7 9 clause 7ii71 by /rik+ ! second   
s5t5ce ( section #bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & 
ins]t+ section #bja7;b77#b77;,c72  7cc7 
by am5d+ clause 7iii7 to read z foll[s3 
7iii7 7,i7 ,an ali5 :o is describ$ 9    
clause 7ii7 may file a petition ) !     
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security "u ?is    
subp>agraph = classification ( ! ali5 7&
 any *ild ( ! ali57 if ! ali5           
demon/rates to ! ,secret>y t-- 7aa7 !   
m>riage or ! int5t to m>ry ! citiz5 ( ! 
,unit$ ,/ates or lawful p]man5t resid5t 
0 ent]$ into 9 good fai? by ! ali52 &   
7bb7 dur+ ! m>riage or relation%ip      
int5d$ by ! ali5 to be legally a        
m>riage1 ! ali5 or a *ild ( ! ali5 has  
be5 batt]$ or has be5 ! subject (       
extreme cruelty p]petrat$ by ! ali5's   
sp\se or int5d$ sp\se4  7,,ii7 ,=       

purposes ( subclause 7,i71 an ali5      
describ$ 9 ?is subclause is an ali5--   
7aa7 7,,aa7 :o is ! sp\se ( a citiz5 ( !
 ,unit$ ,/ates or lawful p]man5t        
resid5t2 7,,bb7 :o believ$ t he or %e _h
 m>ri$ a citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or    
lawful p]man5t resid5t & ) :om a m>riage
 c]emony 0 actually p]=m$ & :o o!rwise  
meets any applicable requirem5ts "u ?is 
,act to e/abli% ! exi/5ce ( & bona fides
 ( a m>riage1 b ^: m>riage is n         
legitimate solely because ( ! bigamy (  
su* citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or lawful  
p]man5t resid5t2 or 7,,cc7 :o 0 a bona  
fide sp\se ( a citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates 
or a lawful p]man5t resid5t )9 ! pa/ #b 
ye>s & ^: sp\se di$ )9 ! pa/ #b ye>s1 ^:
 sp\se r5\nc$ citiz5%ip /atus or r5\nc$ 
or lo/ /atus z a lawful p]man5t resid5t 
)9 ! pa/ #b ye>s relat$ to an incid5t ( 
dome/ic viol5ce1 or :o demon/rates a    
connection betwe5 ! legal t]m9ation ( ! 
m>riage )9 ! pa/ #b ye>s & batt]+ or    
extreme cruelty by a sp\se :o is a      
citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or a lawful    

p]man5t resid5t sp\se2  7bb7 :o is a    
p]son ( good moral "*2  7cc7 :o is      
eligible to be classifi$ z an imm$iate  
relative "u section #bja7;b77#b77;,b7 or
 :o w\ld h be5 s classifi$ b = ! bigamy 
( ! citiz5 ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates or lawful  
p]man5t resid5t t ! ali5 int5d$ to m>ry2
 &  7dd7 :o has resid$ ) ! ali5's sp\se 
or int5d$ sp\se4  2  7dd7 by am5d+      
clause 7iv7 to read z foll[s3  7iv7 ,an 
ali5 :o is ! *ild ( a citiz5 or lawful  
p]man5t resid5t ( ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 or :o
 0 a *ild ( a ,unit$ ,/ates citiz5 or   
lawful p]man5t resid5t p>5t :o )9 ! pa/ 
#b ye>s lo/ or r5\nc$ citiz5%ip /atus   
relat$ to an incid5t ( dome/ic viol5ce1 
& :o is a p]son ( good moral "*1 :o is  
eligible to be classifi$ z an imm$iate  
relative "u section #bja7;b77#b77;,b71 &
 :o resides1 or has resid$ 9 ! pa/1 ) ! 
citiz5 or lawful p]man5t resid5t p>5t   
may file a petition ) ! ,secret>y (     
,homel& ,security "u ?is subp>agraph =  
classification ( ! ali5 7& any *ild ( ! 
ali57 "u su* section if ! ali5          

demon/rates to ! ,secret>y t ! ali5 has 
be5 batt]$ by or has be5 ! subject (    
extreme cruelty p]petrat$ by ! ali5's   
citiz5 or lawful p]man5t resid5t p>5t4  
,= purposes ( ?is clause1 resid5ce      
includes any p]iod ( visitation4  2 &   
7ee7 9 clause 7v77,i71 9 ! matt] prec$+ 
item 7aa71 by ins]t+ or lawful p]man5t  
resid5t aft] citiz52  7ff7 9 clause     
7vi71 by /rik+ r5unciation ( citiz5%ip &
 all t foll[s ?r\gh citiz5%ip /atus &   
ins]t+ r5unciation ( citiz5%ip or lawful
 p]man5t resid5t /atus1 dea? ( ! abus]1 
divorce1 or *anges to ! abus]'s         
citiz5%ip or lawful p]man5t resid5t     
/atus2 &  7gg7 9 clause 7vii71 by /rik+ 
section #bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 ea* place x
 appe>s & ins]t+ section                
#bja7;b77#b77;,b72  7,,ii7 by am5d+     
subp>agraph 7,b7 to read z foll[s3  7,b7
 7i7 7,i7 ,except z provid$ 9 subclause 
7,,ii71 any ali5 lawfully admitt$ =     
p]man5t resid5ce claim+ t an ali5 is    
entitl$ to a classification by reason ( 
! relation%ip describ$ 9 section        

#bjc7;a77#b7 may file a petition ) !    
,attorney ,g5]al = su* classification4  
7,,ii7 ,subclause 7,i7 %all n apply 9 ! 
case ( an ali5 lawfully admitt$ =       
p]man5t resid5ce :o has be5 convict$ ( a
 specifi$ (f5se aga9/ a m9or 7z def9$ 9 
subp>agraph 7,a77viii77,,ii771 unless ! 
,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security1 9 !      
,secret>y's sole & unreviewable         
discretion1 det]m9es t su* p]son poses  
no risk to ! ali5 ) respect to :om a    
petition describ$ 9 subclause 7,i7 is   
fil$4  7ii7 ,an ali5 :o 0 ! *ild ( a    
lawful p]man5t resid5t :o )9 ! pa/ #b   
ye>s lo/ lawful p]man5t resid5t /atus   
due to an incid5t ( dome/ic viol5ce1 &  
:o is a p]son ( good moral "*1 :o is    
eligible = classification "u section    
#bjc7;a77#b71 & :o resides1 or has      
resid$ 9 ! pa/1 ) ! ali5's p]man5t      
resid5t ali5 p>5t may file a petition ) 
! ,secret>y ( ,homel& ,security "u ?is  
subp>agraph = classification ( ! ali5 7&
 any *ild ( ! ali57 "u su* section if ! 
ali5 demon/rates to ! ,secret>y t ! ali5

 has be5 batt]$ by or has be5 ! subject 
( extreme cruelty p]petrat$ by ! ali5's 
p]man5t resid5t p>5t4  7iii7 7,i7 ,=    
purposes ( a petition fil$ or approv$ "u
 clause 7ii71 ! loss ( lawful p]man5t   
resid5t /atus by a p>5t aft] ! fil+ ( a 
petition "u t clause %all n adv]sely    
affect approval ( ! petition1 & = an    
approv$ petition1 %all n affect ! ali5's
 ability to adju/ /atus "u subsections  
7a7 & 7c7 ( section #bde or obta9 /atus 
z a lawful p]man5t resid5t bas$ on an   
approv$ self-petition "u clause 7ii74   
7,,ii7 ,^u ! lawful p]man5t resid5t p>5t
 becom+ or e/abli%+ ! exi/5ce ( ,unit$  
,/ates citiz5%ip ?r\gh naturalization1  
acquisition ( citiz5%ip1 or o!r means1  
any petition fil$ ) ! ,secret>y (       
,homel& ,security & p5d+ or approv$ "u  
clause 7ii7 on behalf ( an ali5 :o has  
be5 batt]$ or subject$ to extreme       
cruelty %all be deem$ reclassifi$ z a   
petition fil$ "u subp>agraph 7,a7 ev5 if
 ! acquisition ( citiz5%ip occurs aft] !
 t]m9ation ( p>5tal rights4  2 &        

7,,iii7 9 subp>agraph 7,d77i77,i71 by   
/rik+ p>agraph 7#a71 7#b71 or 7#c7 &    
ins]t+ p>agraph 7#a7 or 7#c72 &  7ii7 9 
p>agraph 7#b7-- 7,i7 by /rik+ sp\sal    
second pref]5ce petition ea* place x    
appe>s & ins]t+ petition = ! sp\se ( an 
ali5 lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t         
resid5ce2 &  7,,ii7 9 ! undesignat$     
matt] foll[+ subp>agraph 7,a77ii71 by   
/rik+ pref]5ce /atus "u section         
#bjc7;a77#b7 & ins]t+ classification z  
an imm$iate relative "u section         
#bja7;b77#b77;,b77ii72  7,b7 9          
subsection 7c77#a71 by /rik+ or pref]5ce
 /atus2 &  7,c7 9 subsection 7k77#a71 by
 /rik+ #bjc7;a77#b77;,b7 & ins]t+       
#bjc7;a77#b74  7#f7 ,excludable ali5s   
,section #bab7;d77#ab77;,b7 ( !         
,immigration & ,nationality ,act 7#h    
,u4,s4,c4 #aahb7;d77#ab77;,b77 is am5d$ 
by /rik+ section #bja7;b77#b77;,a7 &    
ins]t+ section #bja7;b77#b7 7o!r ?an    
subp>agraph 7,b77vi774  7#g7 ,admission 
( nonimmigrants ,section                
#bad7r77#c77;,a7 ( ! ,immigration &     

,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aahd7r77#c77;,a77 is am5d$ by /rik+    
section #bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+   
section #bja7;b77#b7 7o!r ?an clause 7v7
 or 7vi7 ( subp>agraph 7,b774  7#h7     
,def9ition ( ali5 sp\se ,section        
#baf7;h77#a77;,a7 ( ! ,immigration &    
,nationality ,act 7#h ,u4,s4,c4         
#aahf;a7h77#a77;,a77 is am5d$ by ins]t+ 
or an ali5 lawfully admitt$ = p]man5t   
resid5ce aft] ,unit$ ,/ates4  7#i7      
,refugee ,crisis 9 ,iraq ,act ( #bjjg   
,section #abdc7;a77#d7 ( ! ,refugee     
,crisis 9 ,iraq ,act ( #bjjg 7,public   
,law #aaj-aah2 #h ,u4,s4,c4 #aaeg note7 
is am5d$ by /rik+ section               
#bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+ section   
#bja7;b77#b7 7o!r ?an clause 7v7 or 7vi7
 ( subp>agraph 7,b774  7#aj7 ,process+ (
 visa applications ,section #bcc7;b77#a7
 ( ! ,dep>tm5t ( ,/ate ,au?orization    
,act1 ,fiscal ,ye> #bjjc 7,public ,law  
#ajg-bbh2 #h ,u4,s4,c4 #abja note7 is   
am5d$ by /rik+ section                  
#bja7;b77#b77;,a77i7 & ins]t+ section   

#bja7;b77#b7 7o!r ?an clause 7v7 or 7vi7
 ( subp>agraph 7,b774