Section 245 (i) of the Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act of 2000 (LIFE ACT), is a law which expired on April 30, 2001. This law had allowed individuals who entered the U.S. without inspection, overstayed an admission, or worked without authorization, to file for their legal permanent residency (green cards) either through a family relationship or an offer of employment without leaving the United States. After April 30, eligible individuals were required to return to their native countries in order to apply for their green cards.

Senate Bill 778, which was introduced by Senators Hagel (R-NE) and Kennedy (D-MA), would renew section 245 (i) and make it effective until April 2002. This will once again allow individuals eligible for the green card to file for permanent residency without leaving the United States.

On May 1st, 2001, President Bush announced his support for an extension of the critical April 30 deadline to file under Section 245(i). The ADC Legal Department urges all lawyers, law students, and civil rights and immigration advocates to contact their Senators to request their support for S. 778.

You can contact your Representative by logging in the Contact Congress section at www.adc.org