[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 3650 Introduced in House (IH)]







106th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                H. R. 3650

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a mechanism for 
United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their 
 permanent partners for residence in the United States, and for other 
                               purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           February 14, 2000

 Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Frank of Massachusetts, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. 
  Crowley, Mr. Delahunt, Mr. Lantos, Mr. Becerra, Mr. McDermott, Mr. 
    Hinchey, Mr. Capuano, Mr. Waxman, and Mr. Towns) introduced the 
  following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide a mechanism for 
United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their 
 permanent partners for residence in the United States, and for other 
                               purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; AMENDMENTS TO IMMIGRATION AND NATIONALITY ACT.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Permanent Partners 
Immigration Act of 2000''.
    (b) Amendments to Immigration and Nationality Act.--Except as 
otherwise specifically provided whenever in this Act an amendment or 
repeal is expressed as the amendment or repeal of a section or other 
provision, the reference shall be considered to be made to that section 
or provision in the Immigration and Nationality Act.

SEC. 2. DEFINITION OF ``PERMANENT PARTNER''.

    Section 101(a) (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:
            ``(50) The term `permanent partner' means an individual 
        over 18 years of age who--
                    ``(A) is in a committed, intimate relationship with 
                another individual over 18 years of age in which both 
                parties intend a lifelong commitment;
                    ``(B) is financially interdependent with that other 
                individual;
                    ``(C) is not married to or in a permanent 
                partnership with anyone other than that other 
                individual;
                    ``(D) is unable to contract with that other 
                individual a marriage cognizable under this Act; and
                    ``(E) is not a first, second, or third degree blood 
                relation of that other individual.
            ``(51) The term `permanent partnership' means the 
        relationship that exists between two permanent partners.''.

SEC. 3. WORLDWIDE LEVEL OF IMMIGRATION.

    Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) (8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``permanent partners,'' after 
        ``spouses,'';
            (2) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' 
        each place such term appears; and
            (3) by inserting ``or enters a permanent partnership with 
        another person'' before the period at the end.

SEC. 4. NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS ON INDIVIDUAL FOREIGN STATES.

    (a) Per Country Levels.--Section 202(a)(4) (8 U.S.C. 1152(a)(4)) is 
amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading for paragraph (4), by 
        inserting ``, permanent partners,'' after ``spouses'';
            (2) in the subparagraph heading for subparagraph (A), by 
        inserting ``, permanent partners,'' after ``spouses''; and
            (3) in the subparagraph heading for subparagraph (C), by 
        inserting ``without permanent partners'' after ``daughters''.
    (b) Rules for Chargeability.--Section 202(b)(2) (8 U.S.C. 
1152(b)(2)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' 
        each place it appears; and
            (2) by inserting ``or permanent partners'' after ``husband 
        and wife''.

SEC. 5. ALLOCATION OF IMMIGRANT VISAS.

    (a) Preference Allocation for Family Members of Permanent Resident 
Aliens.--Section 203(a)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(2)) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading--
                    (A) by striking ``and'' after ``Spouses'' and 
                inserting ``, permanent partners,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``without permanent partners'' 
                after ``sons'' and after ``daughters''; and
            (2) in subparagraph (A)--
                    (A) by inserting ``, permanent partners,'' after 
                ``spouses''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``without permanent partners'' 
                after ``sons'' and after ``daughters''.
    (b) Preference Allocation for Sons and Daughters of Citizens.--
Section 203(a)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in the paragraph heading, by inserting ``and daughters 
        and sons with permanent partners'' after ``daughters''; and
            (2) by inserting ``or daughters or sons with permanent 
        partners'' after ``daughters''.
    (c) Employment Creation.--Section 203(b)(5)(A)(iii) (8 U.S.C. 
1153(b)(5)(A)(iii)) is amended by inserting ``permanent partner,'' 
after ``spouse,''.
    (d) Treatment of Family Members.--Section 203(d) (8 U.S.C. 1153(d)) 
is amended by inserting ``, permanent partner,'' after ``spouse'' each 
place the term appears.

SEC. 6. PROCEDURE FOR GRANTING IMMIGRANT STATUS.

    (a) Classification Petitions.--Section 204(a)(1) (8 U.S.C. 
1154(a)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partner'' after ``spouse'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A)(iii)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse'' each place the term appears; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after 
                ``marriage'' each place the term appears in subclause 
                (I); and
            (3) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partner'' after ``spouse'' each place the term appears.
    (b) Immigration Fraud Prevention.--Section 204(c) (8 U.S.C. 
1154(c)) is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' 
        each place the term appears; and
            (2) by inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after 
        ``marriage'' each place the term appears.

SEC. 7. ANNUAL ADMISSION OF REFUGEES AND ADMISSION OF EMERGENCY 
              SITUATION REFUGEES.

    Section 207(c) (8 U.S.C. 1157(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse'' each place the term appears; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partner's'' after 
                ``spouse's''; and
            (2) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``or permanent partner'' 
        after ``spouse''.

SEC. 8. ASYLUM.

    Section 208(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1158(b)(3)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by inserting ``or permanent partner'' 
        after ``spouse''; and
            (2) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse''.

SEC. 9. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF REFUGEES.

    Section 209(b)(3) (8 U.S.C. 1159(b)(3)) is amended by inserting 
``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse''.

SEC. 10. INADMISSIBLE ALIENS.

    (a) Classes of Aliens Ineligible for Visas or Admission.--Section 
212(a) (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (3)(D)(iv), by inserting ``permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse,'';
            (2) in paragraph (4)(C)(i)(I), by inserting ``, permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse'';
            (3) in paragraph (6)(E)(ii), by inserting ``permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse,''; and
            (4) in paragraph (9)(B)(v), by inserting ``, permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse''.
    (b) Waivers.--Section 212(d) (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (11), by inserting ``permanent partner,'' 
        after ``spouse,''; and
            (2) in paragraph (12)(B), by inserting ``, permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse''.
    (c) Section 212(g)(1)(A) (8 U.S.C. 1182(g)(1)(A)) is amended by 
inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse''.
    (d) Section 212(h)(1)(B) (8 U.S.C. 1182(h)(1)(B)) is amended by 
inserting ``permanent partner,'' after ``spouse,''.
    (e) Section 212(i)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1182(i)(1)) is amended by inserting 
``permanent partner,'' after ``spouse,''.

SEC. 11. ADMISSION OF NONIMMIGRANTS.

    (a) Persons Entering Under NAFTA.--Section 214(e)(2) (8 U.S.C. 
1184(e)(2)) is amended by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
``spouse''.
    (b) Limitation on Certain Nonimmigrants.--Section 214(g)(2) (8 
U.S.C. 1184(g)(2)) is amended by inserting ``, permanent partners,'' 
after ``spouses''.

SEC. 12. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN 
              SPOUSES, PERMANENT PARTNERS, AND SONS AND DAUGHTERS.

    (a) Section Heading.--
            (1) In general.--The section heading for section 216 (8 
        U.S.C. 1186a) is amended by inserting ``and permanent 
        partners'' after ``spouses''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents is amended 
        by amending the item relating to section 216 to read as 
        follows:

``Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien 
                            spouses and permanent partners and sons and 
                            daughters.''.
    (b) In General.--Section 216(a) (8 U.S.C. 1186a(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or permanent partner'' 
        after ``spouse'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partner'' after ``spouse'';
            (3) in paragraph (2)(B), by inserting ``permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse,''; and
            (4) in paragraph (2)(C), by inserting ``permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse,''.
    (c) Termination of Status if Finding that Qualifying Marriage 
Improper.--Section 216(b) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1186a(b)) is amended--
            (1) in the heading, by inserting ``or Permanent 
        Partnership'' after ``Marriage'';
            (2) in paragraph (1)(A), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partnership'' after ``marriage''; and
            (3) in paragraph (1)(A)(ii)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or has ceased to satisfy the 
                criteria for being considered a permanent partnership 
                under this Act,'' after ``terminated,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse''.
    (d) Requirements of Timely Petition and Interview for Removal of 
Condition.--Section 216(c) (8 U.S.C. 1186a(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraphs (1), (2)(A)(ii), (3)(A)(ii), (3)(C), 
        (4)(B), and (4)(C), by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
        ``spouse'' each place the term appears;
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A), in the matter following clause 
        (ii), and in paragraph (3)(D), (4)(B), and (4)(C), by inserting 
        ``or permanent partnership'' after ``marriage'' each place the 
        term appears.
    (e) Contents of Petition.--Section 216(d)(1) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 
1186a(d)(1)) is amended--
            (1) in the subparagraph heading for subparagraph (A), by 
        inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after ``marriage'';
            (2) in subparagraph (A)(i), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partnership'' after ``marriage'';
            (3) in subparagraph (A)(i)(I), by inserting before the 
        comma at the end ``, or is a permanent partnership recognized 
        under this Act'';
            (4) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or has not ceased to satisfy the 
                criteria for being considered a permanent partnership 
                under this Act,'' after ``terminated,''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse'';
            (5) in subparagraph (A)(ii), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partner'' after ``spouse''; and
            (6) in subparagraph (B)(i)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after 
                ``marriage''; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse''.
    (e) Definitions.--Section 216(g) (8 U.S.C. 1186a(g)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse'' each place the term appears; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after 
                ``marriage'' each place the term appears;
            (2) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partnership'' after ``marriage'';
            (3) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partnership'' after ``marriage''; and
            (4) in paragraph (4)--
                    (A) by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after 
                ``spouse'' each place the term appears; and
                    (B) by inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after 
                ``marriage''.

SEC. 13. CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN 
              ENTREPRENEURS, SPOUSES, PERMANENT PARTNERS, AND CHILDREN.

    (a) Section Heading.--
            (1) In general.--The section heading for section 216A (8 
        U.S.C. 1186b) is amended by inserting ``or permanent partners'' 
        after ``spouses''.
            (2) Clerical amendment.--The table of contents is amended 
        by amending the item relating to section 216A to read as 
        follows:

``Sec. 216. Conditional permanent resident status for certain alien 
                            entrepreneurs, spouses or permanent 
                            partners, and children.''.
    (b) In General.--Section 216A(a) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(a)) is amended, in 
paragraphs (1), (2)(A), (2)(B), and (2)(C), by inserting ``or permanent 
partner'' after ``spouse'' each place the term appears.
    (c) Termination of Status if Finding That Qualifying 
Entrepreneurship Improper.--Section 216A(b)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(b)(1)) 
is amended by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' in 
the matter following subparagraph (C).
    (d) Requirements of Timely Petition and Interview for Removal of 
Condition.--Section 216A(c) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(c)) is amended, in 
paragraphs (1), (2)(A)(ii), and (3)(C), by inserting ``or permanent 
partner'' after ``spouse''.
    (e) Definitions.--Section 216A(f)(2) (8 U.S.C. 1186b(f)(2)) is 
amended by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' each 
place the term appears.

SEC. 14. DEPORTABLE ALIENS.

    Section 237(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1227(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(D)(i), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partners'' after ``spouses'' each place the term appears;
            (2) in paragraphs (1)(E)(ii), (1)(E)(iii), and (1)(H)(i), 
        by inserting ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'';
            (3) by adding at the end of paragraph (1) the following new 
        subparagraph:
                    ``(I) Permanent partnership fraud.--An alien shall 
                be considered to be deportable as having procured a 
                visa or other documentation by fraud (within the 
                meaning of section 212(a)(6)(C)(i)) and to be in the 
                United States in violation of this Act (within the 
                meaning of subparagraph (B)) if--
                            ``(i) the alien obtains any admission to 
                        the United States with an immigrant visa or 
                        other documentation procured on the basis of a 
                        permanent partnership entered into less than 2 
                        years prior to such admission and which, within 
                        2 years subsequent to such admission, is 
                        terminated because the criteria for permanent 
                        partnership are no longer fulfilled, unless the 
                        alien establishes to the satisfaction of the 
                        Attorney General that such permanent 
                        partnership was not contracted for the purpose 
                        of evading any provisions of the immigration 
                        laws; or
                            ``(ii) it appears to the satisfaction of 
                        the Attorney General that the alien has failed 
                        or refused to fulfill the alien's permanent 
                        partnership which in the opinion of the 
                        Attorney General was made for the purpose of 
                        procuring the alien's admission as an 
                        immigrant.''; and
            (4) in paragraphs (2)(E)(i) and (3)(C)(ii), by inserting 
        ``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' each place the term 
        appears.

SEC. 15. REMOVAL PROCEEDINGS.

    Section 240(e)(1) (8 U.S.C. 1229a(e)(1)) is amended by inserting 
``or permanent partner'' after ``spouse''.

SEC. 16. CANCELLATION OF REMOVAL; ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.

    Section 240A(b) (8 U.S.C. 1229b(b)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(D), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partner'' after ``spouse'';
            (2) in the heading for paragraph (2), by inserting ``, 
        permanent partner,'' after ``spouse''; and
            (3) in paragraph (2)(A), by inserting ``, permanent 
        partner,'' after ``spouse''.

SEC. 17. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS OF NONIMMIGRANT TO THAT OF PERSON 
              ADMITTED FOR PERMANENT RESIDENCE.

    (a) Prohibition on Adjustment of Status.--Section 245(d) (8 U.S.C. 
1255(d)) is amended by inserting ``or permanent partnership'' after 
``marriage''.
    (b) Avoiding Immigration Fraud.--Section 245(e) (8 U.S.C. 1255(e)) 
is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or permanent 
        partnership'' after ``marriage''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
    ``(4) Paragraph (1) and section 204(g) shall not apply with respect 
to a permanent partnership if the alien establishes by clear and 
convincing evidence to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that 
the permanent partnership was entered into in good faith and in 
accordance with section 101(a)(50) and the permanent partnership was 
not entered into for the purpose of procuring the alien's admission as 
an immigrant and no fee or other consideration was given (other than a 
fee or other consideration to an attorney for assistance in preparation 
of a lawful petition) for the filing of a petition under section 204(a) 
or 214(d) with respect to the alien permanent partner. In accordance 
with regulations, there shall be only one level of administrative 
appellate review for each alien under the previous sentence.''.
    (c) Adjustment of Status for Certain Aliens Paying Fee.--Section 
245(i)(1)(B) (8 U.S.C. 1255(i)(1)(B)) is amended by inserting ``or 
permanent partner'' after ``spouse'' each place the term appears.
    (d) Informants.--Section 245(j) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1255(j)) is 
amended by inserting ``permanent partner,'' after ``spouse,'' each 
place the term appears.

SEC. 18. MISREPRESENTATION AND CONCEALMENT OF FACTS.

    Section 275(c) (8 U.S.C. 1325(c)) is amended by inserting ``or 
permanent partnership'' after ``marriage''.

SEC. 19. REQUIREMENTS AS TO RESIDENCE, GOOD MORAL CHARACTER, ATTACHMENT 
              TO THE PRINCIPLES OF THE CONSTITUTION.

    Section 316(b) (8 U.S.C. 1427(b)) is amended by inserting ``or 
permanent partner'' after ``spouse''.

SEC. 20. FORMER CITIZENS OF UNITED STATES REGAINING UNITED STATES 
              CITIZENSHIP.

    Section 324(a) (8 U.S.C. 1435(a)) is amended, in the matter 
following ``after September 22, 1922,'', by inserting ``or permanent 
partnership'' after ``marriage'' each place the term appears.
                                 <all>