Millions of long-term immigrants living in the United States may soon have a long-overdue pathway to permanent residency, thanks to a new legislative proposal led by Senator Alex Padilla of California. The bill, titled the “Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929,” seeks to modernize a decades-old provision in immigration law and provide relief to more than 8 million individuals — including Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, children of long-term visa holders, essential workers, and high-skilled professionals stuck in green card backlogs.

What the Bill Proposes

The legislation aims to amend Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, commonly known as the "Registry" provision, which has not been updated since 1986. Under current law, only individuals who entered the U.S. before January 1, 1972 may qualify for permanent residency through the registry — a cutoff date now more than five decades old.

The Padilla bill proposes to update the cutoff to allow individuals who have lived continuously in the United States for at least seven years and who meet other standard eligibility criteria (including a clean criminal record) to apply for lawful permanent resident status. The Secretary of Homeland Security would retain discretion in granting such status.

A Lifeline for Millions

If enacted, this legislation would offer immediate relief to:

• Dreamers — undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children

• TPS holders — people granted humanitarian relief due to conflict or disaster in their home countries

• Children of long-term visa holders — many of whom face family separation due to "aging out" of dependent status at age 21

• Indian nationals — who make up a substantial portion of the employment-based green card backlog, with an estimated 1.07 million waiting in line and over 134,000 children expected to age out before receiving a green card, according to the Cato Institute

The bill's reintroduction comes amid mounting criticism of the current administration's “indiscriminate” enforcement tactics, which critics argue sow fear in immigrant communities and undermine due process.

A Return to “Basic Fairness”

Senator Padilla, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, has called the proposal a “commonsense fix” to an outdated system. He is joined by Senator Dick Durbin as a co-sponsor in the Senate, with Representative Zoe Lofgren leading the House version.

“Americans know there's a better path forward than the Trump administration's cruel scapegoating of hardworking immigrants and fearmongering in California communities,” said Padilla. “We believe that if you've lived here for over seven years, paid taxes, contributed to your community, and have no criminal record, then you deserve a pathway to legalization.”

Padilla invoked the legacy of President Ronald Reagan, who championed immigration reform in the 1980s as a “matter of basic fairness.” The current bill does not create new agencies or bureaucracies — it simply updates an existing statutory pathway to reflect today's reality.

What Comes Next

Although the bill faces uncertain prospects in a divided Congress, it represents an important shift in the national conversation. It underscores a growing recognition that millions of immigrants are deeply embedded in American communities, contributing economically, socially, and culturally — yet remain stuck in legal limbo due to outdated laws.

At Saluja Law, we remain committed to supporting immigrants in pursuit of legal status, family unity, and a fair shot at the American Dream. We will continue to monitor this legislation closely and advise our clients on how it may impact their cases.

If you or someone you know has been living in the U.S. for seven or more years and is seeking a path to lawful permanent residency, now is the time to explore your options.

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