8 U.S.C. § 1153
Aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 1151(c) of this title for family-sponsored immigrants shall be allotted visas as follows:
Qualified immigrants who are the unmarried sons or daughters of citizens of the United States shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 23,400, plus any visas not required for the class specified in paragraph (4).
Qualified immigrants-
shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 114,200, plus the number (if any) by which such worldwide level exceeds 226,000, plus any visas not required for the class specified in paragraph (1); except that not less than 77 percent of such visa numbers shall be allocated to aliens described in subparagraph (A).
Qualified immigrants who are the married sons or married daughters of citizens of the United States shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 23,400, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2).
Qualified immigrants who are the brothers or sisters of citizens of the United States, if such citizens are at least 21 years of age, shall be allocated visas in a number not to exceed 65,000, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) through (3).
Aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 1151(d) of this title for employment-based immigrants in a fiscal year shall be allotted visas as follows:
Visas shall first be made available in a number not to exceed 28.6 percent of such worldwide level, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (4) and (5), to qualified immigrants who are aliens described in any of the following subparagraphs (A) through (C):
An alien is described in this subparagraph if-
An alien is described in this subparagraph if-
An alien is described in this subparagraph if the alien, in the 3 years preceding the time of the alien's application for classification and admission into the United States under this subparagraph, has been employed for at least 1 year by a firm or corporation or other legal entity or an affiliate or subsidiary thereof and the alien seeks to enter the United States in order to continue to render services to the same employer or to a subsidiary or affiliate thereof in a capacity that is managerial or executive.
Visas shall be made available, in a number not to exceed 28.6 percent of such worldwide level, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraph (1), to qualified immigrants who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees or their equivalent or who because of their exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, will substantially benefit prospectively the national economy, cultural or educational interests, or welfare of the United States, and whose services in the sciences, arts, professions, or business are sought by an employer in the United States.
Subject to clause (ii), the Attorney General may, when the Attorney General deems it to be in the national interest, waive the requirements of subparagraph (A) that an alien's services in the sciences, arts, professions, or business be sought by an employer in the United States.
The Attorney General shall grant a national interest waiver pursuant to clause (i) on behalf of any alien physician with respect to whom a petition for preference classification has been filed under subparagraph (A) if-
No permanent resident visa may be issued to an alien physician described in subclause (I) by the Secretary of State under section 1154(b) of this title, and the Attorney General may not adjust the status of such an alien physician from that of a nonimmigrant alien to that of a permanent resident alien under section 1255 of this title, until such time as the alien has worked full time as a physician for an aggregate of 5 years (not including the time served in the status of an alien described in section 1101(a)(15)(J) of this title), in an area or areas designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having a shortage of health care professionals or at a health care facility under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to prevent the filing of a petition with the Attorney General for classification under section 1154(a) of this title, or the filing of an application for adjustment of status under section 1255 of this title, by an alien physician described in subclause (I) prior to the date by which such alien physician has completed the service described in subclause (II).
The requirements of this subsection do not affect waivers on behalf of alien physicians approved under subsection (b)(2)(B) before the enactment date of this subsection. In the case of a physician for whom an application for a waiver was filed under subsection (b)(2)(B) prior to November 1, 1998, the Attorney General shall grant a national interest waiver pursuant to subsection (b)(2)(B) except that the alien is required to have worked full time as a physician for an aggregate of 3 years (not including time served in the status of an alien described in section 1101(a)(15)(J) of this title) before a visa can be issued to the alien under section 1154(b) of this title or the status of the alien is adjusted to permanent resident under section 1255 of this title.
In determining under subparagraph (A) whether an immigrant has exceptional ability, the possession of a degree, diploma, certificate, or similar award from a college, university, school, or other institution of learning or a license to practice or certification for a particular profession or occupation shall not by itself be considered sufficient evidence of such exceptional ability.
Visas shall be made available, in a number not to exceed 28.6 percent of such worldwide level, plus any visas not required for the classes specified in paragraphs (1) and (2), to the following classes of aliens who are not described in paragraph (2):
Qualified immigrants who are capable, at the time of petitioning for classification under this paragraph, of performing skilled labor (requiring at least 2 years training or experience), not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
Qualified immigrants who hold baccalaureate degrees and who are members of the professions.
Other qualified immigrants who are capable, at the time of petitioning for classification under this paragraph, of performing unskilled labor, not of a temporary or seasonal nature, for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
Not more than 10,000 of the visas made available under this paragraph in any fiscal year may be available for qualified immigrants described in subparagraph (A)(iii).
An immigrant visa may not be issued to an immigrant under subparagraph (A) until the consular officer is in receipt of a determination made by the Secretary of Labor pursuant to the provisions of section 1182(a)(5)(A) of this title.
Visas shall be made available, in a number not to exceed 7.1 percent of such worldwide level, to qualified special immigrants described in section 1101(a)(27) of this title (other than those described in subparagraph (A) or (B) thereof), of which not more than 5,000 may be made available in any fiscal year to special immigrants described in subclause (II) or (III) of section 1101(a)(27)(C)(ii) of this title, and not more than 100 may be made available in any fiscal year to special immigrants, excluding spouses and children, who are described in section 1101(a)(27)(M) of this title.
Visas shall be made available, in a number not to exceed 7.1 percent of such worldwide level, to qualified immigrants seeking to enter the United States for the purpose of engaging in a new commercial enterprise (including a limited partnership)-
Of the visas made available under this paragraph in each fiscal year-
At the end of each fiscal year, any unused visas reserved for qualified immigrants investing in each of the categories described in items (aa) through (cc) of subclause (I) shall remain available within the same category for the immediately succeeding fiscal year.
Visas described in items (aa) through (cc) of subclause (I) that are not issued by the end of the succeeding fiscal year referred to in item (aa) shall be made available to qualified immigrants described under subparagraph (A).
The Secretary of Homeland Security, or a designee of the Secretary who is an employee of the Department of Homeland Security, may designate, as a high unemployment area, a census tract, or contiguous census tracts, in which-
A targeted employment area may not be designated as a high unemployment area by-
In making a designation under subclause (I), the Secretary of Homeland Security may include a census tract directly adjacent to a census tract or contiguous census tracts described in that subclause.
A designation under this clause shall be in effect for the 2-year period beginning on-
A designation under this clause may be renewed for 1 or more additional 2-year periods if the applicable area continues to meet the criteria described in subclause (I).
An immigrant investor who has invested the amount of capital required by subparagraph (C) in a targeted employment area designated as a high unemployment area during the period in which the area is so designated shall not be required to increase the amount of investment due to the expiration of the designation.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall determine whether a specific capital investment project meets the definition of "infrastructure project" set forth in subparagraph (D)(iv).
A determination under subclause (I) may not be made by-
Except as otherwise provided in this subparagraph, the amount of capital required under subparagraph (A) shall be $1,050,000.
The amount of capital required under subparagraph (A) for an investment in a targeted employment area or in an infrastructure project shall be $800,000.
In the case of an investment made in a part of a metropolitan statistical area that at the time of the investment-
the Secretary of Homeland Security may specify an amount of capital required under subparagraph (A) that is greater than (but not greater than 3 times) the amount specified in clause (i), as adjusted under clause (iii).
In this paragraph:
The term "affiliated job-creating entity" means any job-creating entity that is controlled, managed, or owned by any of the people involved with the regional center or new commercial enterprise under subsection (b)(5)(H)(v).
The term "capital"-
The term "certifier" means a person in a position of substantive authority for the management or operations of a regional center, new commercial enterprise, affiliated job-creating entity, or issuer of securities, such as a principal executive officer or principal financial officer, with knowledge of such entities' policies and procedures related to compliance with the requirements under this paragraph.
The term "infrastructure project" means a capital investment project in a filed or approved business plan, which is administered by a governmental entity (such as a Federal, State, or local agency or authority) that is the job-creating entity contracting with a regional center or new commercial enterprise to receive capital investment under the regional center program described in subparagraph (E) from alien investors or the new commercial enterprise as financing for maintaining, improving, or constructing a public works project.
The term "job-creating entity" means any organization formed in the United States for the ongoing conduct of lawful business, including sole proprietorship, partnership (whether limited or general), corporation, limited liability company, business trust, or other entity, which may be publicly or privately owned, including an entity consisting of a holding company and its wholly owned subsidiaries or affiliates (provided that each subsidiary or affiliate is engaged in an activity formed for the ongoing conduct of a lawful business) that receives, or is established to receive, capital investment from alien investors or a new commercial enterprise under the regional center program described in this subparagraph and which is responsible for creating jobs to satisfy the requirement under subparagraph (A)(ii).
The term "new commercial enterprise" means any for-profit organization formed in the United States for the ongoing conduct of lawful business, including sole proprietorship, partnership (whether limited or general), holding company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (provided that each subsidiary is engaged in a for-profit activity formed for the ongoing conduct of a lawful business), joint venture, corporation, business trust, limited liability company, or other entity (which may be publicly or privately owned) that receives, or is established to receive, capital investment from investors under this paragraph.
The term "rural area" means any area other than an area within a metropolitan statistical area (as designated by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget) or within the outer boundary of any city or town having a population of 20,000 or more (based on the most recent decennial census of the United States).
The term "targeted employment area" means, at the time of investment, a rural area or an area designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security under subparagraph (B)(ii) as a high unemployment area.
Visas under this subparagraph shall be made available through September 30, 2027, to qualified immigrants (and the eligible spouses and children of such immigrants) pooling their investments with 1 or more qualified immigrants participating in a program implementing this paragraph that involves a regional center in the United States, which has been designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security on the basis of a proposal for the promotion of economic growth, including prospective job creation and increased domestic capital investment.
In processing petitions under section 1154(a)(1)(H) of this title for classification under this paragraph, the Secretary of Homeland Security-
A regional center shall operate within a defined, contiguous, and limited geographic area, which shall be described in the proposal and be consistent with the purpose of concentrating pooled investment within such area. The proposal to establish a regional center shall demonstrate that the pooled investment will have a substantive economic impact on such geographic area, and shall include-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall permit aliens seeking admission under this subparagraph to satisfy only up to 90 percent of the requirement under subparagraph (A)(ii) with jobs that are estimated to be created indirectly through investment under this paragraph in accordance with this subparagraph. An employee of the new commercial enterprise or job-creating entity may be considered to hold a job that has been directly created.
If the jobs estimated to be created are created by construction activity lasting less than 2 years, the Secretary shall permit aliens seeking admission under this subparagraph to satisfy only up to 75 percent of the requirement under subparagraph (A)(ii) with jobs that are estimated to be created indirectly through investment under this paragraph in accordance with this subparagraph.
In determining compliance with subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall permit aliens seeking admission under this subparagraph to rely on economically and statistically valid methodologies for determining the number of jobs created by the program, including-
In determining compliance with the job creation requirement under subparagraph (A)(ii), the Secretary of Homeland Security may include jobs estimated to be created under a methodology that attributes jobs to prospective tenants occupying commercial real estate created or improved by capital investments if the number of such jobs estimated to be created has been determined by an economically and statistically valid methodology and such jobs are not existing jobs that have been relocated.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations to ensure that alien investor capital may not be utilized, by a new commercial enterprise or otherwise, to purchase municipal bonds or any other bonds, if such bonds are available to the general public, either as part of a primary offering or from a secondary market.
If the number of direct jobs estimated to be created has been determined by an economically and statistically valid methodology, and such direct jobs are created by construction activity lasting less than 2 years, the number of such jobs that may be considered direct jobs for purposes of clause (iv) shall be calculated by multiplying the total number of such jobs estimated to be created by the fraction of the 2-year period that the construction activity lasts.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall-
Each regional center shall make and preserve, during the 5-year period beginning on the last day of the Federal fiscal year in which any transactions occurred, books, ledgers, records, and other documentation from the regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity used to support-
The Secretary shall audit each regional center not less frequently than once every 5 years. Each such audit shall include a review of any documentation required to be maintained under subclause (I) for the preceding 5 years and a review of the flow of alien investor capital into any capital investment project. To the extent multiple regional centers are located at a single site, the Secretary may audit multiple regional centers in a single site visit.
The Secretary shall terminate the designation of a regional center that fails to consent to an audit under subclause (II) or deliberately attempts to impede such an audit.
A regional center shall file an application with the Secretary of Homeland Security for each particular investment offering through an associated new commercial enterprise before any alien files a petition for classification under this paragraph by reason of investment in that offering. The application shall include-
The approval of an application under this subparagraph, including an approval before the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, shall be binding for purposes of the adjudication of subsequent petitions seeking classification under this paragraph by immigrants investing in the same offering described in such application, and of petitions by the same immigrants filed under section 1186b of this title unless-
The Secretary of Homeland Security may establish procedures by which a regional center may seek approval of an amendment to an approved application under this subparagraph that reflects changes specified by the Secretary to any information, documents, or other aspects of the investment offering described in such approved application not later than 30 days after any such changes.
Upon the approval of a timely filed amendment to an approved application, any changes reflected in such amendment may be incorporated into and considered in determining program eligibility through adjudication of-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall prescribe regulations, in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 and chapter 7 of title 5 (commonly known as the "Administrative Procedure Act"), that allow a new commercial enterprise to redeploy investment funds anywhere within the United States or its territories for the purpose of maintaining the investors' capital at risk if-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall terminate the designation of a regional center if the Secretary determines that a new commercial enterprise has violated any of the requirements under subclause (I) in the redeployment of funds invested in such regional center.
Each regional center designated under subparagraph (E) shall submit an annual statement, in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of Homeland Security. Each such statement shall include-
The Secretary of Homeland Security-
The Director shall sanction any regional center entity in accordance with subclause (II) if the regional center fails to submit an annual statement or if the Director determines that the regional center-
The Director shall establish a graduated set of sanctions based on the severity of the violations referred to in subclause (I), including-
Not later than 30 days after a request from an alien investor, a regional center shall make available to such alien investor a copy of the filed annual statement and any amendments filed to such statement, which shall be redacted to exclude any information unrelated to such alien investor or the new commercial enterprise or job creating entity into which the alien investor invested.
The Secretary of Homeland Security may not permit any person to be involved with any regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity if-
A person may not be involved with a regional center unless the person-
No agency, official, or other similar entity or representative of a foreign government entity may provide capital to, or be directly or indirectly involved with the ownership or administration of, a regional center, a new commercial enterprise, or a job-creating entity, except that a foreign or domestic investment fund or other investment vehicle that is wholly or partially owned, directly or indirectly, by a bona fide foreign sovereign wealth fund or a foreign state-owned enterprise otherwise permitted to do business in the United States may be involved with the ownership, but not the administration, of a job-creating entity that is not an affiliated job-creating entity.
Not later than 270 days after March 15, 2022, the Secretary shall issue regulations implementing subparagraphs (I) and (II).
The Secretary of Homeland Security-
The Secretary of Homeland Security may suspend or terminate the designation of any regional center, or the participation under the program of any new commercial enterprise or job-creating entity under this paragraph if the Secretary determines that such entity-
The Secretary's authorized sanctions under subclause (I) shall be limited to entities that have engaged in any activity described in subclause (I).
The Secretary, after performing the criminal record checks and other background checks described in clause (iii), shall notify a regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity whether any person involved with such entities is not in compliance with clause (i) or (ii), unless the information that provides the basis for the determination is classified or disclosure is otherwise prohibited under law.
If the regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity fails to discontinue the prohibited person's involvement with the regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity, as applicable, within 30 days after receiving such notification, such entity shall be deemed to have knowledge under subclause (I)(aa) that the involvement of such person with the entity is in violation of clause (i) or (ii).
For the purposes of this paragraph, unless otherwise determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, a person is involved with a regional center, a new commercial enterprise, any affiliated job-creating entity, as applicable, if the person is, directly or indirectly, in a position of substantive authority to make operational or managerial decisions over pooling, securitization, investment, release, acceptance, or control or use of any funding that was procured under the program described in subparagraph (E). An individual may be in a position of substantive authority if the person serves as a principal, a representative, an administrator, an owner, an officer, a board member, a manager, an executive, a general partner, a fiduciary, an agent, or in a similar position at the regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity, respectively.
The United States has jurisdiction, including subject matter jurisdiction, over the purchase or sale of any security offered or sold, or any investment advice provided, by any regional center or any party associated with a regional center for purposes of the securities laws.
For purposes of section 5 of the Securities Act of 1933 ( 15 U.S.C. 77e ), a regional center or any party associated with a regional center is not precluded from offering or selling a security pursuant to Regulation S ( 17 C.F.R. 230.901 et seq.) to the extent that such offering or selling otherwise complies with that regulation.
Subclause (I) is not intended to modify any existing rules or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission related to the application of section 78o(a) of title 15 to foreign brokers or dealers.
The Secretary of Homeland Security may not approve an application for regional center designation or regional center amendment unless the regional center certifies that, to the best of the certifier's knowledge, after a due diligence investigation, the regional center is in compliance with and has policies and procedures, including those related to internal and external due diligence, reasonably designed to confirm, as applicable, that all parties associated with the regional center are and will remain in compliance with the securities laws of the United States and of any State in which-
A regional center shall annually reissue a certification described in subclause (I), in accordance with subparagraph (G), to certify compliance with clause (iii) by stating that-
If a regional center, through its due diligence, discovered during the previous fiscal year that the regional center or any party associated with the regional center was not in compliance with the securities laws of the United States or the securities laws of any State in which the securities activities were conducted by any party associated with the regional center, the certifier shall-
Each regional center shall-
In addition to any other authority provided to the Secretary under this paragraph, the Secretary, in the Secretary's discretion, may suspend or terminate the designation of any regional center or impose other sanctions against the regional center if the regional center, or any parties associated with the regional center that the regional center knew or reasonably should have known-
In this subparagraph, the term "parties associated with a regional center" means-
Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to impair or limit the authority of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Federal securities laws or any State securities regulator under State securities laws.
There is established in the United States Treasury a special fund, which shall be known as the "EB-5 Integrity Fund" (referred to in this subparagraph as the "Fund"). Amounts deposited into the Fund shall be available to the Secretary of Homeland Security until expended for the purposes set forth in clause (iii).
On October 1, 2022, and each October 1 thereafter, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall collect for the Fund an annual fee-
Beginning on October 1, 2022, the Secretary shall collect a fee of $1,000 for the Fund with each petition filed under section 1154(a)(1)(H) of this title for classification under subparagraph (E). The fee under this subclause is in addition to the fee that the Secretary is authorized to establish and collect for each petition to recover the costs of adjudication and naturalization services under section 1356(m) of this title.
The Secretary may increase the amounts under this clause by prescribing such regulations as may be necessary to ensure that amounts in the Fund are sufficient to carry out the purposes set forth in clause (iii).
The Secretary shall-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall-
The Secretary shall submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives that describes how amounts in the Fund were expended during the previous fiscal year.
Direct and third-party promoters (including migration agents) of a regional center, any new commercial enterprise, an affiliated job-creating entity, or an issuer of securities intended to be offered to alien investors in connection with a particular capital investment project shall comply with the rules and standards prescribed by the Secretary of Homeland Security and any applicable Federal or State securities laws, to oversee promotion of any offering of securities related to the EB-5 Program, including-
If the Secretary determines that a direct or third-party promoter has violated clause (i), the Secretary shall suspend or permanently bar such individual from participation in the program described in subparagraph (E).
Each regional center, new commercial enterprise, and affiliated job-creating entity shall maintain a written agreement between or among such entities and each direct or third-party promoter operating on behalf of such entities that outlines the rules and standards prescribed under clause (i).
Each petition filed under section 1154(a)(1)(H) of this title shall include a disclosure, signed by the investor, that reflects all fees, ongoing interest, and other compensation paid to any person that the regional center or new commercial enterprise knows has received, or will receive, in connection with the investment, including compensation to agents, finders, or broker dealers involved in the offering, to the extent not already specifically identified in the business plan filed under subparagraph (F).
An alien investor shall demonstrate that the capital required under subparagraph (A) and any funds used to pay administrative costs and fees associated with the alien's investment were obtained from a lawful source and through lawful means.
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall require that an alien investor's petition under this paragraph contain, as applicable-
Gifted and borrowed funds may not be counted toward the minimum capital investment requirement under subparagraph (C) unless such funds-
If funds invested under subparagraph (A) are gifted or loaned to the alien investor, the Secretary shall require that the alien investor's petition under this paragraph includes the records described in subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) from the donor or, if other than a bank, the lender.
Except as provided in clause (vi), upon the termination or debarment, as applicable, from the program under this paragraph of a regional center, a new commercial enterprise, or a job-creating entity-
The petition under section 1154(a)(1)(H) of this title of an alien described in clause (i) and the conditional permanent resident status of an alien described in clause (i) shall be terminated 180 days after notification of the termination from the program under this paragraph of a regional center, a new commercial enterprise, or a job creating entity (but not sooner than 180 days after March 15, 2022) unless-
The Secretary shall permit a petition described in clause (i)(I) to be amended to allow such petition to meet the applicable eligibility requirements under clause (ii), or to notify the Secretary that a pending or approved petition continues to meet the eligibility requirements described in clause (ii) notwithstanding termination or debarment described in clause (i) if such amendment is filed not later than 180 days after the Secretary provides notification of termination or debarment of a regional center, a new commercial enterprise, or a job-creating entity, as applicable.
For purposes of determining eligibility under subclause (I)-
Aliens described in subclauses (I)(bb) and (II) of clause (ii) shall be eligible to have their conditions removed pursuant to section 1186b of this title beginning on the date that is 2 years after the date of the subsequent investment.
For petitions approved under clause (ii), including following an amendment filed under clause (iii), the Secretary-
If the Secretary has reason to believe that an alien was a knowing participant in the conduct that led to the termination of a regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity described in clause (i)-
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall deny or revoke the approval of a petition, application, or benefit described in this paragraph, including the documents described in clause (ii), if the Secretary determines, in the Secretary's discretion, that the approval of such petition, application, or benefit is contrary to the national interest of the United States for reasons relating to threats to public safety or national security.
The documents described in this clause are-
If a regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity has its designation or participation in the program under this paragraph terminated for reasons relating to public safety or national security, any person associated with such regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity, including an alien investor, shall be permanently barred from future participation in the program under this paragraph if the Secretary of Homeland Security, in the Secretary's discretion, determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that such person was a knowing participant in the conduct that led to the termination.
If the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that the approval of a petition, application, or benefit described in this paragraph should be denied or revoked pursuant to clause (i), the Secretary shall-
Notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of title 28 or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, no court shall have jurisdiction to review a denial or revocation under this subparagraph. Nothing in this clause may be construed as precluding review of constitutional claims or questions of law raised upon a petition for review filed with an appropriate court of appeals in accordance with section 1252 of this title.
Subject to subparagraph (M), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall deny or revoke the approval of a petition, application, or benefit described in this paragraph, including the documents described in subparagraph (N)(ii), if the Secretary determines, in the Secretary's discretion, that such petition, application, or benefit was predicated on or involved fraud, deceit, intentional material misrepresentation, or criminal misuse.
If a regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity has its designation or participation in the program under this paragraph terminated for reasons relating to fraud, intentional material misrepresentation, or criminal misuse, any person associated with such regional center, new commercial enterprise, or job-creating entity, including an alien investor, shall be permanently barred from future participation in the program if the Secretary determines, in the Secretary's discretion, by a preponderance of the evidence, that such person was a knowing participant in the conduct that led to the termination.
If the Secretary determines that the approval of a petition, application, or benefit described in this paragraph should be denied or revoked pursuant to clause (i), the Secretary shall-
The Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall provide an opportunity for an administrative appellate review by the Administrative Appeals Office of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of any determination made under this paragraph, including-
Subject to subparagraph (N)(v) and section 1252(a)(2) of this title, and notwithstanding any other provision of law (statutory or nonstatutory), including section 2241 of title 28 or any other habeas corpus provision, and sections 1361 and 1651 of such title, no court shall have jurisdiction to review a determination under this paragraph until the regional center, its associated entities, or the alien investor has exhausted all administrative appeals.
Each new commercial enterprise shall deposit and maintain the capital investment of each alien investor in a separate account, including amounts held in escrow.
Amounts in a separate account may only-
If amounts are transferred to an affiliated job-creating entity pursuant to clause (ii)(I)-
Except as provided in clause (v), the new commercial enterprise shall retain a fund administrator to fulfill the requirements under this subparagraph. The fund administrator-
The Secretary of Homeland Security, after consultation with the Securities and Exchange Commission, may waive the requirements under clause (iv) for any new commercial enterprise or affiliated job-creating entity that is controlled by or under common control of an investment adviser or broker-dealer that is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission if the Secretary, in the Secretary's discretion, determines that the Securities and Exchange Commission provides comparable protections and transparency for alien investors as the protections and transparency provided under clause (iv).
The Secretary of Homeland Security shall waive the requirements under clause (iv) for any new commercial enterprise that commissions an annual independent financial audit of such new commercial enterprise or job creating entity conducted in accordance with Generally Accepted Auditing Standards, which audit shall be provided to the Secretary and all investors in the new commercial enterprise.
In this subparagraph, the term "separate account" means an account that-
Any petition filed by an alien under section 1154(a)(1)(H) of this title may not be approved under this paragraph unless the Secretary of Homeland Security has searched for the alien and any associated employer of such alien on the Specially Designated Nationals List of the Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Notwithstanding the expiration of legislation authorizing the regional center program under subparagraph (E), the Secretary of Homeland Security-
Subject to subparagraph (B), the number of immigrant visas made available to special immigrants under section 1101(a)(27)(K) of this title in a fiscal year shall not be subject to the numerical limitations of this subsection or of section 1152(a) of this title.
The number of visas made available in any fiscal year under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) shall each be reduced by 1/3 of the number of visas made available in the previous fiscal year to special immigrants described in section 1101(a)(27)(K) of this title.
The number of visas made available in each fiscal year to natives of a foreign state under section 1152(a) of this title shall be reduced by the number of visas made available in the previous fiscal year to special immigrants described in section 1101(a)(27)(K) of this title who are natives of the foreign state.
In the case of a foreign state subject to section 1152(e) of this title in a fiscal year (and in the previous fiscal year), the number of visas made available and allocated to each of paragraphs (1) through (3) of this subsection in the fiscal year shall be reduced by 1/3 of the number of visas made available in the previous fiscal year to special immigrants described in section 1101(a)(27)(K) of this title who are natives of the foreign state.
Except as provided in paragraph (2), aliens subject to the worldwide level specified in section 1151(e) of this title for diversity immigrants shall be allotted visas each fiscal year as follows:
The Attorney General shall determine for the most recent previous 5-fiscal-year period for which data are available, the total number of aliens who are natives of each foreign state and who (i) were admitted or otherwise provided lawful permanent resident status (other than under this subsection) and (ii) were subject to the numerical limitations of section 1151(a) of this title (other than paragraph (3) thereof) or who were admitted or otherwise provided lawful permanent resident status as an immediate relative or other alien described in section 1151(b)(2) of this title.
The Attorney General-
The Attorney General shall determine the percentage of the total of the numbers determined under subparagraph (A) that are numbers for foreign states in high-admission regions.
The Attorney General shall determine-
The percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives of a high-admission state is 0.
Subject to clauses (iv) and (v), the percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) in a low-admission region is the product of-
Subject to clauses (iv) and (v), the percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) in a high-admission region is the product of-
If the Secretary of State estimates that the number of immigrant visas to be issued to natives in any region for a fiscal year under this paragraph is less than the number of immigrant visas made available to such natives under this paragraph for the fiscal year, subject to clause (v), the excess visa numbers shall be made available to natives (other than natives of a high-admission state) of the other regions in proportion to the percentages otherwise specified in clauses (ii) and (iii).
The percentage of visas made available under this paragraph to natives of any single foreign state for any fiscal year shall not exceed 7 percent.
Only for purposes of administering the diversity program under this subsection, Northern Ireland shall be treated as a separate foreign state, each colony or other component or dependent area of a foreign state overseas from the foreign state shall be treated as part of the foreign state, and the areas described in each of the following clauses shall be considered to be a separate region:
An alien is not eligible for a visa under this subsection unless the alien-
The Secretary of State shall maintain information on the age, occupation, education level, and other relevant characteristics of immigrants issued visas under this subsection.
A spouse or child as defined in subparagraph (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of section 1101(b)(1) of this title shall, if not otherwise entitled to an immigrant status and the immediate issuance of a visa under subsection (a), (b), or (c), be entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration provided in the respective subsection, if accompanying or following to join, the spouse or parent.
In the case of any alien claiming in his application for an immigrant visa to be described in section 1151(b)(2) of this title or in subsection (a), (b), or (c) of this section, the consular officer shall not grant such status until he has been authorized to do so as provided by section 1154 of this title.
For purposes of carrying out the Secretary's responsibilities in the orderly administration of this section, the Secretary of State may make reasonable estimates of the anticipated numbers of visas to be issued during any quarter of any fiscal year within each of the categories under subsections (a), (b), and (c) and to rely upon such estimates in authorizing the issuance of visas. The Secretary of State shall terminate the registration of any alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year following notification to the alien of the availability of such visa, but the Secretary shall reinstate the registration of any such alien who establishes within 2 years following the date of notification of the availability of such visa that such failure to apply was due to circumstances beyond the alien's control.
For purposes of subsections (a)(2)(A) and (d), a determination of whether an alien satisfies the age requirement in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of section 1101(b)(1) of this title shall be made using-
The petition described in this paragraph is-
If the age of an alien is determined under paragraph (1) to be 21 years of age or older for the purposes of subsections (a)(2)(A) and (d), the alien's petition shall automatically be converted to the appropriate category and the alien shall retain the original priority date issued upon receipt of the original petition.
Paragraphs (1) through (3) shall apply to self-petitioners and derivatives of self-petitioners.
An alien who has reached 21 years of age and has been admitted under subsection (d) as a lawful permanent resident on a conditional basis as the child of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence under subsection (b)(5), whose lawful permanent resident status on a conditional basis is terminated under section 1186b of this title or subsection (b)(5)(M), shall continue to be considered a child of the principal alien for the purpose of a subsequent immigrant petition by such alien under subsection (b)(5) if the alien remains unmarried and the subsequent petition is filed by the principal alien not later than 1 year after the termination of conditional lawful permanent resident status. No alien shall be considered a child under this paragraph with respect to more than 1 petition filed after the alien reaches 21 years of age.
8 U.S.C. § 1153
EDITORIAL NOTES
REFERENCES IN TEXTThe enactment date of this subsection, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(B)(ii)(IV), probably means the date of enactment of Pub. L. 106-95 which amended subsec. (b)(2)(B) of this section generally, and which was approved Nov. 12, 1999. The Securities Act of 1933, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(F)(i)(III), is title I of act May 27, 1933, ch. 38, 48 Stat. 74, which is classified generally to subchapter I (§77a et seq.) of chapter 2A of Title 15, Commerce and Trade. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 77a of Title 15 and Tables.This chapter, referred to in subsec. (b)(5)(F)(v)(I)(bb), was in the original, "this Act", meaning act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat. 163, known as the Immigration and Nationality Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1101 of this title and Tables.
AMENDMENTS2022-Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(i). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(1)(A), substituted "(C) and which is expected to remain invested for not less than 2 years; and" for "(C), and".Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(ii). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(1)(B), substituted "by creating" for "and create" and inserted ", United States nationals," after "citizens".Subsec. (b)(5)(B). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(2), amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) related to set-aside for targeted employment areas.Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(i). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(3)(A), substituted "$1,050,000" for "$1,000,000. The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of State, may from time to time prescribe regulations increasing the dollar amount specified under the previous sentence". Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(3)(B), amended cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Attorney General may, in the case of investment made in a targeted employment area, specify an amount of capital required under subparagraph (A) that is less than (but not less than 1/2 of) the amount specified in clause (i)."Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(3)(D), added cl. (iii). Former cl. (iii) redesignated (iv).Subsec. (b)(5)(C)(iv). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(3)(C), (E), redesignated cl. (iii) as (iv) and, in concluding provisions, substituted "Secretary of Homeland Security" for "Attorney General" and inserted ", as adjusted under clause (iii)" before period at end. Subsec. (b)(5)(D). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(a)(4), amended subpar. (D) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (D) defined "full-time employment".Subsec. (b)(5)(E) to (Q). Pub. L. 117-103, §103(b)(1), added subpars. (E) to (Q).Subsec. (b)(5)(R). Pub. L. 117-103, §103(c)(1), added subpar. (R).Subsec. (b)(5)(S). Pub. L. 117-103, §108, added subpar. (S).Subsec. (h)(5). Pub. L. 117-103, §102(b), added par. (5). 2006-Subsec. (h)(4). Pub. L. 109-162 added par. (4).2002-Subsec. (b)(5)(A). Pub. L. 107-273, §11036(a)(1)(A), substituted "enterprise (including a limited partnership)-" for "enterprise-" in introductory provisions.Subsec. (b)(5)(A)(i) to (iii). Pub. L. 107-273, §11036(a)(1)(B), (C), redesignated cls. (ii) and (iii) as (i) and (ii), respectively, and struck out former cl. (i) which read as follows: "which the alien has established,". Subsec. (b)(5)(B)(i). Pub. L. 107-273, §11036(a)(2), substituted "invest in" for "establish".Subsec. (b)(5)(D). Pub. L. 107-273, §11035, added subpar. (D).Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 107-208 added subsec. (h).2000-Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 106-536 inserted before period at end ", and not more than 100 may be made available in any fiscal year to special immigrants, excluding spouses and children, who are described in section 1101(a)(27)(M) of this title". 1999-Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 106-95 and Pub. L. 106-113 amended subpar. (B) generally in substantially identical manner. Pub. L. 106-95 provided headings. Text is based on Pub. L. 106-113. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: "The Attorney General may, when he deems it to be in the national interest, waive the requirement of subparagraph (A) that an alien's services in the sciences, arts, professions, or business be sought by an employer in the United States."1994-Subsec. (b)(5)(B), (C). Pub. L. 103-416, §219(c), substituted "Targeted" and "targeted" for "Targetted" and "targetted", respectively, wherever appearing in headings and text.Subsec. (b)(6)(C). Pub. L. 103-416, §212(b), struck out subpar. (C) which related to application of separate numerical limitations.1991-Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(b)(2)(A), substituted "28.6 percent of such worldwide level" for "40,000".Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(b)(2)(B), substituted "the alien seeks" for "who seeks".Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(b)(2)(A), substituted "28.6 percent of such worldwide level" for "40,000".Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(b)(2)(D), inserted "professions," after "arts,". Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(b)(2)(A), substituted "28.6 percent of such worldwide level" for "40,000".Subsec. (b)(4), (5)(A). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(b)(2)(C), substituted "7.1 percent of such worldwide level" for "10,000".Subsec. (b)(6). Pub. L. 102-110 added par. (6).Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 102-232, §302(e)(3), substituted "Authorization for issuance" for "Presumption" in heading, struck out at beginning "Every immigrant shall be presumed not to be described in subsection (a) or (b) of this section, section 1101(a)(27) of this title, or section 1151(b)(2) of this title, until the immigrant establishes to the satisfaction of the consular officer and the immigration officer that the immigrant is so described.", and substituted "1151(b)(2) of this title or in subsection (a), (b), or (c)" for "1151(b)(1) of this title or in subsection (a) or (b)".1990-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101-649, §111(2), added subsec. (a) and struck out former subsec. (a) which related to allocation of visas of aliens subject to section 1151(a) limitations. Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 101-649, §603(a)(3), substituted "section 1182(a)(5) of this title" for "section 1182(a)(14) of this title". Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101-649, §§111(1), 121, added subsec. (b) and redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d).Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101-649, §§111(1), 131, added subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsec. (c) as (e).Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 101-649, §162(a)(1), added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which related to order of consideration given applications for immigrant visas. Pub. L. 101-649, §111(1), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (f).Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 101-649, §162(a)(1), added subsec. (e) and struck out former subsec. (e) which related to order of issuance of immigrant visas. Pub. L. 101-649, §111(1), redesignated subsec. (c) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (g). Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101-649, §162(a)(1), added subsec. (f) and struck out former subsec. (f) which related to presumption of nonpreference status and grant of status by consular officers. Pub. L. 101-649, §111(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (f).Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101-649, §162(a)(1), added subsec. (g) and struck out former subsec. (g) which related to estimates of anticipated numbers of visas to be issued, termination and reinstatement of registration of aliens, and revocation of approval of petition. Pub. L. 101-649, §111(1), redesignated subsec. (e) as (g).1980-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96-212, §203(c)(1)-(6), in introductory text struck out applicability to conditional entry, in par. (2) substituted "(26)" for "(20)", struck out par. (7) relating to availability of conditional entries, redesignated former par. (8) as (7) and struck out applicability to number of conditional entries and visas available under former par. (7), and redesignated former par. (9) as (8) and substituted provisions relating to applicability of pars. (1) to (7) to visas, for provisions relating to applicability of pars. (1) to (8) to conditional entries.Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 96-212, §203(c)(7), substituted "preference status under paragraphs (1) through (6)" for "preference status under paragraphs (1) through (7)".Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 96-212, §203(c)(8), struck out subsec. (f) which related to reports to Congress of refugees conditionally entering the United States.Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 96-212, §203(c)(8), struck out subsec. (g) which set forth provisions respecting inspection and examination of refugees after one year. Pub. L. 96-212, §203(i), substituted provisions relating to inspection and examination of refugees after one year for provisions relating to inspection and examination of refugees after two years.Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 96-212, §203(c)(8), struck out subsec. (h) which related to the retroactive readjustment of refugee status as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence. 1978-Subsec. (a)(1) to (7). Pub. L. 95-412 substituted "1151(a) of this title" for "1151(a)(1) or (2) of this title" wherever appearing.Subsec. (a)(8). Pub. L. 95-417 inserted provisions requiring a valid adoption home-study prior to the granting of a nonpreference visa for children adopted abroad or coming for adoption by United States citizens and requiring that no other nonpreference visa be issued to an unmarried child under the age of 16 unless accompanying or following to join his natural parents.1976-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94-571, §4(1)-(3), substituted "section 1151(a)(1) or (2) of this title" for "section 1151(a)(ii) of this title" in pars. (1) to (7); made visas available, in par. (3), to qualified immigrants whose services in the professions, sciences, or arts are sought by an employer in the United States; and required, in par. (5), that the United States citizens be at least twenty-one years of age.Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 94-571, §4(4), substituted provision requiring Secretary of State to terminate the registration of an alien who fails to apply for an immigrant visa within one year following notification of the availability of such visa, including provision for reinstatement of a registration upon establishment within two years following the notification that the failure to apply was due to circumstances beyond the alien's control for prior provision for discretionary termination of the registration on a waiting list of an alien failing to evidence continued intention to apply for a visa as prescribed by regulation and inserted provision for automatic revocation of approval of a petition approved under section 1154(b) of this title upon such termination. 1965-Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89-236 substituted provisions setting up preference priorities and percentage allocations of the total numerical limitation for the admission of qualified immigrants, consisting of unmarried sons or daughters of U.S. citizens (20 percent), husbands, wives, and unmarried sons or daughters of alien residents (20 percent plus any unused portion of class 1), members of professions, scientists, and artists (10 percent), married sons or daughters of U.S. citizens (10 percent plus any unused portions of classes 1-3), brothers or sisters of U.S. citizens (24 percent plus any unused portions of classes 1 through 4), skilled or unskilled persons capable of filling labor shortages in the United States (10 percent), refugees (6 percent), otherwise qualified immigrants (portion not used by classes 1 through 7), and allowing a spouse or child to be given the same status and order of consideration as the spouse or parent, for provisions spelling out the preferences under the quotas based on the previous national origins quota systems.Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 89-236 substituted provisions requiring that consideration be given applications for immigrant visas in the order in which the classes of which they are members are listed in subsec. (a), for provisions allowing issuance of quota immigrant visas under the previous national origins quota system in the order of filing in the first calendar month after receipt of notice of approval for which a quota number was available.Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 89-236 substituted provisions requiring issuance of immigrant visas pursuant to paragraphs (1) through (6) of subsection (a) of this section in the order of filing of the petitions therefor with the Attorney General, for provisions which related to issuance of quota immigrant visas in designated classes in the order of registration in each class on quota waiting lists. Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 89-236 substituted provisions requiring each immigrant to establish his preference as claimed and prohibiting consular officers from granting status of immediate relative of a United States citizen or preference until authorized to do so, for provisions spelling out the order for consideration of applications for quota immigrant visas under the various prior classes.Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 89-236 substituted provisions authorizing Secretary of State to make estimates of anticipated members of visas issued and to terminate the waiting-list registration of any registrant failing to evidence a continued intention to apply for a visa, for provisions establishing a presumption of quota status for immigrants and requiring the immigrant to establish any claim to a preference. Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 89-236 added subsecs. (f) to (h).1959-Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 86-363, §1, accorded adult unmarried sons or daughters of United States citizens second preference in the allocation of immigrant visas within quotas. Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 86-363, §2, substituted "unmarried sons or daughters" for "children".Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 86-363, §3, substituted "married sons or married daughters" for "sons, or daughters", increased percentage limitation from 25 to 50 per centum, and made preference available to spouses and children of qualified quota immigrants if accompanying them.1957-Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 85-316 substituted "or following to join him" for "him".
STATUTORY NOTES AND RELATED SUBSIDIARIES
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2022 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §102(e), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1075, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1255 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022]." Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §103(b)(2), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1100, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022]." Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §103(c)(2), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1100, provided that: "The amendment made by this subsection [amending this section] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022]."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENTS Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title I, §11036(c), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1847, provided that: "The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1186b of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 2, 2002] and shall apply to aliens having any of the following petitions pending on or after the date of the enactment of this Act:"(1) A petition under section 204(a)(1)(H) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1154(a)(1)(H) ) (or any predecessor provision), with respect to status under section 203(b)(5) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) )."(2) A petition under section 216A(c)(1)(A) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1186b(c)(1)(A) ) to remove the conditional basis of an alien's permanent resident status." Amendment by Pub. L. 107-208 effective Aug. 6, 2002, and applicable to certain beneficiary aliens, see section 8 of Pub. L. 107-208 set out as a note under section 1151 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2000 AMENDMENT Pub. L. 106-536, §1(b)(2), Nov. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 2561, provided that: "The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall apply to visas made available in any fiscal year beginning on or after October 1, 2000."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1994 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 219(c) of Pub. L. 103-416 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-649 see section 219(dd) of Pub. L. 103-416 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1991 AMENDMENTS Amendment by Pub. L. 102-232 effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, Pub. L. 101-649 see section 310(1) of Pub. L. 102-232 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title. Amendment by Pub. L. 102-110 effective 60 days after Oct. 1, 1991, see section 2(d) of Pub. L. 102-110 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT Amendment by sections 111, 121(a), 131, 162(a)(1) of Pub. L. 101-649 effective Oct. 1, 1991, and applicable beginning with fiscal year 1992, with general transition provisions, see section 161(a), (c) of Pub. L. 101-649 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title. Amendment by section 603(a)(3) of Pub. L. 101-649 applicable to individuals entering United States on or after June 1, 1991, see section 601(e)(1) of Pub. L. 101-649 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1980 AMENDMENT Amendment by section 203(c) of Pub. L. 96-212 effective, except as otherwise provided, Apr. 1, 1980, and amendment by section 203(i) of Pub. L. 96-212 effective immediately before Apr. 1, 1980, see section 204 of Pub. L. 96-212 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1976 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 94-571 effective on first day of first month which begins more than sixty days after Oct. 20, 1976, see section 10 of Pub. L. 94-571 set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1965 AMENDMENT For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 89-236 see section 20 of Pub. L. 89-236 set out as a note under section 1151 of this title.
ABOLITION OF IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION SERVICE AND TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONSFor abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.
VISA AVAILABILITY FOR GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE IMMIGRANT VISA PROGRAM Pub. L. 118-31, div. E, title LI, §5104(a), (b), (d), Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 938, 939, provided that: "(a) IN GENERAL.-Beginning in fiscal year 2024, subject to subsection (b), visas shall be made available to a special immigrant described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D) ) if a visa is not immediately available for issuance to the special immigrant under section 203(b)(4) of that Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(4) ). "(b) NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS.-"(1) FISCAL YEAR 2024.-For fiscal year 2024, not more than 3,500 visas shall be made available under subsection (a)."(2) SUBSEQUENT FISCAL YEARS.-For fiscal year 2025 and each fiscal year thereafter, not more than 3,000 visas shall be made available under subsection (a)."(d) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.-Nothing in this section [enacting this note and amending provisions set out as a note under section 1151 of this title] or the amendments made by this section may be construed to modify the number of visas available under section 203(b)(4) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(4) ) to special immigrants described in section 101(a)(27)(D) of that Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(27)(D) )."
ENHANCED PAY SCALE FOR CERTAIN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ADMINISTERING THE EMPLOYMENT CREATION PROGRAM Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §102(c), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1075, provided that: "The Secretary of Homeland Security may establish, fix the compensation of, and appoint individuals to designated critical, technical, and professional positions needed to administer sections 203(b)(5) and 216A of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) and 1186b )."
ADJUDICATION OF PETITIONS Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §105(c), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1103, provided that: "The Secretary of Homeland Security shall continue to adjudicate petitions and benefits under sections 203(b)(5) and 216A of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) and 1186b ) during the implementation of this Act [see Short Title of 2022 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title] and the amendments made by this Act."
TIMELY PROCESSING Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §106, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1103, provided that: "(a) FEE STUDY.-Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022], the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shall complete a study of fees charged in the administration of the program described in sections 203(b)(5) and 216A of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) and 1186b )."(b) ADJUSTMENT OF FEES TO ACHIEVE EFFICIENT PROCESSING.-Notwithstanding section 286(m) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1356(m) ), and except as provided under subsection (c), the Director, not later than 60 days after the completion of the study under subsection (a), shall set fees for services provided under sections 203(b)(5) and 216A of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) and 1186b ) at a level sufficient to ensure the full recovery only of the costs of providing such services, including the cost of attaining the goal of completing adjudications, on average, not later than-"(1) 180 days after receiving a proposal for the establishment of a regional center described in section 203(b)(5)(E) of such Act;"(2) 180 days after receiving an application for approval of an investment in a new commercial enterprise described in section 203(b)(5)(F) of such Act; "(3) 90 days after receiving an application for approval of an investment in a new commercial enterprise described in section 203(b)(5)(F) of such Act that is located in a targeted employment area (as defined in section 203(b)(5)(D) of such Act);"(4) 240 days after receiving a petition from an alien desiring to be classified under section 203(b)(5)(E) of such Act;"(5) 120 days after receiving a petition from an alien desiring to be classified under section 203(b)(5)(E) of such Act with respect to an investment in a targeted employment area (as defined in section 203(b)(5)(D) of such Act); and"(6) 240 days after receiving a petition from an alien for removal of conditions described in section 216A(c) of such Act."(c) ADDITIONAL FEES.-Fees in excess of the fee levels described in subsection (b) may be charged only-"(1) in an amount that is equal to the amount paid by all other classes of fee-paying applicants for immigration-related benefits, to contribute to the coverage or reduction of the costs of processing or adjudicating classes of immigration benefit applications that Congress, or the Secretary of Homeland Security in the case of asylum applications, has authorized to be processed or adjudicated at no cost or at a reduced cost to the applicant; and "(2) in an amount that is not greater than 1 percent of the fee for filing a petition under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) ), to make improvements to the information technology systems used by the Secretary of Homeland Security to process, adjudicate, and archive applications and petitions under such section, including the conversion to electronic format of documents filed by petitioners and applicants for benefits under such section."(d) EXEMPTION FROM PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT.-During the 1-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022], the requirements under chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, shall not apply to any collection of information required under this division [see Short Title of 2022 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title], any amendment made by this division, or any rule promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security to implement this division or the amendments made by this division, to the extent that the Secretary determines that compliance with such requirements would impede the expeditious implementation of this division or the amendments made by this division."(e) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING ADJUDICATION DELAYS.-Nothing in this division may be construed to limit the authority of the Secretary of Homeland Security to suspend the adjudication of any application or petition under section 203(b)(5) or 216A of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) and 1186b ) pending the completion of a national security or law enforcement investigation relating to such application or petition."(f) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION REGARDING MODIFICATION OF FEES.-Nothing in this section may be construed to require any modification of fees before the completion of-"(1) the fee study described in subsection (a); or"(2) regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, in accordance with subchapter II of chapter 5 and chapter 7 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the 'Administrative Procedure Act'), to carry out subsections (b) and (c)."
GAO STUDY Pub. L. 108-156, §5, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1945, as amended by Pub. L. 108-271, §8(b), July 7, 2004, 118 Stat. 814, provided that:"(a) IN GENERAL.-Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act [Dec. 3, 2003], the Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress on the immigrant investor program created under section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) )."(b) CONTENTS.-The report described in subsection (a) shall include information regarding-"(1) the number of immigrant investors that have received visas under the immigrant investor program in each year since the inception of the program; "(2) the country of origin of the immigrant investors; "(3) the localities where the immigrant investors are settling and whether those investors generally remain in the localities where they initially settle;"(4) the number of immigrant investors that have sought to become citizens of the United States;"(5) the types of commercial enterprises that the immigrant investors have established; and"(6) the types and number of jobs created by the immigrant investors."
RECAPTURE OF UNUSED EMPLOYMENT-BASED IMMIGRANT VISAS Pub. L. 106-313, title I, §106(d), Oct. 17, 2000, 114 Stat. 1254, as amended by Pub. L. 109-13, div. B, title V, §502, May 11, 2005, 119 Stat. 322, provided that:"(1) IN GENERAL.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the number of employment-based visas (as defined in paragraph (3)) made available for a fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 2001) shall be increased by the number described in paragraph (2). Visas made available under this subsection shall only be available in a fiscal year to employment-based immigrants under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of section 203(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(b) ] and any such visa that is made available due to the difference between the number of employment-based visas that were made available in fiscal year 2001, 2002, 2003, or 2004 and the number of such visas that were actually used in such fiscal year shall be available only to employment-based immigrants (and their family members accompanying or following to join under section 203(d) of such Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(d) )) whose immigrant worker petitions were approved based on schedule A, as defined in section 656.5 of title 20, Code of Federal Regulations, as promulgated by the Secretary of Labor."(2) NUMBER AVAILABLE.-"(A) IN GENERAL.-Subject to subparagraph (B), the number described in this paragraph is the difference between the number of employment-based visas that were made available in fiscal years 1999 through 2004 and the number of such visas that were actually used in such fiscal years."(B)(i) REDUCTION.-The number described in subparagraph (A) shall be reduced, for each fiscal year after fiscal year 2001, by the cumulative number of immigrant visas actually used under paragraph (1) for previous fiscal years. "(ii) MAXIMUM.-The total number of visas made available under paragraph (1) from unused visas from the fiscal years 2001 through 2004 may not exceed 50,000."(C) CONSTRUCTION.-Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as affecting the application of section 201(c)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1151(c)(3)(C) ). "(3) EMPLOYMENT-BASED VISAS DEFINED.-For purposes of this subsection, the term 'employment-based visa' means an immigrant visa which is issued pursuant to the numerical limitation under section 203(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b) )."
TEMPORARY REDUCTION IN WORKERS' VISAS Pub. L. 105-100, title II, §203(e), Nov. 19, 1997, 111 Stat. 2199, as amended by Pub. L. 105-139, §1(e), Dec. 2, 1997, 111 Stat. 2645, provided that:"(1) Beginning in the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which a visa has been made available under section 203(b)(3)(A)(iii) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(3)(A)(iii) ] for all aliens who are the beneficiary of a petition approved under section 204 of such Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1154 ] as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 19, 1997] for classification under section 203(b)(3)(A)(iii) of such Act, subject to paragraph (2), visas available under section 203(b)(3)(A)(iii) of that Act shall be reduced by 5,000 from the number of visas otherwise available under that section for such fiscal year. "(2) In no case shall the reduction under paragraph (1) for a fiscal year exceed the amount by which-"(A) the number computed under subsection (d)(2)(A) [ section 203(d)(2)(A) of Pub. L. 105-100 8 U.S.C. 1151 note]; exceeds"(B) the total of the reductions in available visas under this subsection for all previous fiscal years."
DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT LOTTERY FEE Pub. L. 104-208, div. C, title VI, §636, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-703, as amended by Pub. L. 115-31, div. J, title VII, §7081(d), May 5, 2017, 131 Stat. 716, provided that: "The Secretary of State may establish a fee to be paid by each applicant for an immigrant visa described in section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(c) ]. Such fee may be set at a level that will ensure recovery of the cost to the Department of State of allocating visas under such section, including the cost of processing all applications thereunder. All fees collected under this section shall be used for providing consular services. All fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the Consular and Border Security Programs account and shall remain available for obligations until expended. The provisions of the Act of August 18, 1856 (11 Stat. 58; 22 U.S.C. 4212-4214 ), concerning accounting for consular fees, shall not apply to fees collected under this section."
ELIGIBILITY FOR VISAS FOR POLISH APPLICANTS FOR 1995 DIVERSITY IMMIGRANT PROGRAM Pub. L. 104-208, div. C, title VI, §637, Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-704, provided that: "(a) IN GENERAL.-The Attorney General, in consultation with the Secretary of State, shall include among the aliens selected for diversity immigrant visas for fiscal year 1997 pursuant to section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(c) ] any alien who, on or before September 30, 1995-"(1) was selected as a diversity immigrant under such section for fiscal year 1995;"(2) applied for adjustment of status to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence pursuant to section 245 of such Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1255 ] during fiscal year 1995, and whose application, and any associated fees, were accepted by the Attorney General, in accordance with applicable regulations; "(3) was not determined by the Attorney General to be excludable under section 212 of such Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1182 ] or ineligible under section 203(c)(2) of such Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(c)(2) ]; and"(4) did not become an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence during fiscal year 1995."(b) PRIORITY.-The aliens selected under subsection (a) shall be considered to have been selected for diversity immigrant visas for fiscal year 1997 prior to any alien selected under any other provision of law."(c) REDUCTION OF IMMIGRANT VISA NUMBER.-For purposes of applying the numerical limitations in sections 201 and 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1151, 1153(c) ], aliens selected under subsection (a) who are granted an immigrant visa shall be treated as aliens granted a visa under section 203(c) of such Act."
SOVIET SCIENTISTS IMMIGRATION Pub. L. 107-228, div. B, title XIII, §1304(d), Sept. 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 1437, provided that: "The Attorney General shall consult with the Secretary, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Energy, and the heads of other appropriate agencies of the United States regarding- "(1) previous experience in implementing the Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992 [ Pub. L. 102-509 set out below]; and "(2) any changes that those officials would recommend in the regulations prescribed under that Act."[For definition of "Secretary" as used in section 1304(d) of Pub. L. 107-228 set out above, see section 3 of Pub. L. 107-228 set out as a note under section 2651 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.] Pub. L. 102-509, 106 Stat. 3316, as amended by Pub. L. 107-228, div. B, title XIII, §1304(a)-(c), Sept. 30, 2002, 116 Stat. 1436, 1437, provided that:
"SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE."This Act may be cited as the 'Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992'.
"SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS."For purposes of this Act-"(1) the term 'Baltic states' means the sovereign nations of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia;"(2) the term 'independent states of the former Soviet Union' means the sovereign nations of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan; and"(3) the term 'eligible independent states and Baltic scientists' means aliens-"(A) who are nationals of any of the independent states of the former Soviet Union or the Baltic states; and "(B) who are scientists or engineers who have expertise in nuclear, chemical, biological or other high technology fields or who are working on nuclear, chemical, biological or other high-technology defense projects, as defined by the Attorney General.
"SEC. 3. WAIVER OF JOB OFFER REQUIREMENT."The requirement in section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A) ) that an alien's services in the sciences, arts, or business be sought by an employer in the United States shall not apply to any eligible independent states or Baltic scientist who is applying for admission to the United States for permanent residence in accordance with that section.
"SEC. 4. CLASSIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT STATES SCIENTISTS AS HAVING EXCEPTIONAL ABILITY. "(a) IN GENERAL.-The Attorney General shall designate a class of eligible independent states and Baltic scientists, based on their level of expertise, as aliens who possess 'exceptional ability in the sciences', for purposes of section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A) ), whether or not such scientists possess advanced degrees. A scientist is not eligible for designation under this subsection if the scientist has previously been granted the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence (as defined in section 101(a)(20) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) )."(b) REGULATIONS.-The Attorney General shall prescribe regulations to carry out subsection (a)."(c) LIMITATION.-Not more than 950 eligible independent states and Baltic scientists (excluding spouses and children if accompanying or following to join) within the class designated under subsection (a) may be allotted visas under section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(2)(A) )."(d) DURATION OF AUTHORITY.-The authority under subsection (a) shall be in effect during the following periods: "(1) The period beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act [Oct. 24, 1992] and ending 4 years after such date."(2) The period beginning on the date of the enactment of the Security Assistance Act of 2002 [Sept. 30, 2002] and ending 4 years after such date."
IMMIGRATION PROGRAM Pub. L. 102-395, title VI, §610, Oct. 6, 1992, 106 Stat. 1874, as amended by Pub. L. 105-119, title I, §116(a), Nov. 26, 1997, 111 Stat. 2467; Pub. L. 106-396, §402, Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1647; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title I, §11037(a), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1847; Pub. L. 108-156, §4, Dec. 3, 2003, 117 Stat. 1945; Pub. L. 111-83, title V, §548, Oct. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 2177; Pub. L. 112-176, §1, Sept. 28, 2012, 126 Stat. 1325, which related to an immigration program to implement section 203(b)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1153(b)(5) ), was repealed by Pub. L. 117-103 div. BB, §103(a), Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 1075.
TRANSITION FOR SPOUSES AND MINOR CHILDREN OF LEGALIZED ALIENS Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §112, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4987, as amended by Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(b)(1), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1743, provided that:"(a) ADDITIONAL VISA NUMBERS.-"(1) IN GENERAL.-In addition to any immigrant visas otherwise available, immigrant visa numbers shall be available in each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, and 1994 for spouses and children of eligible, legalized aliens (as defined in subsection (c)) in a number equal to 55,000 minus the number (if any) computed under paragraph (2) for the fiscal year."(2) OFFSET.-The number computed under this paragraph for a fiscal year is the number (if any) by which-"(A) the sum of the number of aliens described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 201(b)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2) ] (or, for fiscal year 1992, section 201(b) of such Act) who were issued immigrant visas or otherwise acquired the status of aliens lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence in the previous fiscal year, exceeds "(B) 239,000."(b) ORDER.-Visa numbers under this section shall be made available in the order in which a petition, in behalf of each such immigrant for classification under section 203(a)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(2) ], is filed with the Attorney General under section 204 of such Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1154 ]. "(c) LEGALIZED ALIEN DEFINED.-In this section, the term 'legalized alien' means an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence who was provided-"(1) temporary or permanent residence status under section 210 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1160 ], "(2) temporary or permanent residence status under section 245A of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1255a ], or"(3) permanent residence status under section 202 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 [ Pub. L. 99-603 set out as a note under section 1255a of this title]."(d) DEFINITIONS.-The definitions in the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.] shall apply in the administration of this section."
TRANSITION FOR EMPLOYEES OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES BUSINESSES OPERATING IN HONG KONG Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §124, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4996, as amended by Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(b)(5), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1743, provided that: "(a) ADDITIONAL VISA NUMBERS.- "(1) TREATMENT OF PRINCIPALS.-In the case of any alien described in paragraph (3) (or paragraph (2) as the spouse or child of such an alien) with respect to whom a classification petition has been filed and approved under subsection (b), there shall be made available, in addition to the immigrant visas otherwise available in each of fiscal years 1991 through 1993 and without regard to section 202(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1152(a) ], up to 12,000 additional immigrant visas. If the full number of such visas are not made available in fiscal year 1991 or 1992, the shortfall shall be added to the number of such visas to be made available under this section in the succeeding fiscal year."(2) DERIVATIVE RELATIVES.-A spouse or child (as defined in section 101(b)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E) ]) shall, if not otherwise entitled to an immigrant status and the immediate issuance of a visa under this section, be entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, provided under this section, if accompanying, or following to join, the alien's spouse or parent."(3) EMPLOYEES OF CERTAIN UNITED STATES BUSINESSES OPERATING IN HONG KONG.-An alien is described in this paragraph if the alien-"(A) is a resident of Hong Kong and is employed in Hong Kong except for temporary absences at the request of the employer and has been employed in Hong Kong for at least 12 consecutive months as an officer or supervisor or in a capacity that is managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge, by a business entity which (i) is owned and organized in the United States (or is the subsidiary or affiliate of a business owned and organized in the United States), (ii) employs at least 100 employees in the United States and at least 50 employees outside the United States, and (iii) has a gross annual income of at least $50,000,000, and "(B) has an offer of employment from such business entity in the United States as an officer or supervisor or in a capacity that is managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge, which offer (i) is effective from the time of filing the petition for classification under this section through and including the time of entry into the United States and (ii) provides for salary and benefits comparable to the salary and benefits provided to others with similar responsibilities and experience within the same company. "(b) PETITIONS.-Any employer desiring and intending to employ within the United States an alien described in subsection (a)(3) may file a petition with the Attorney General for such classification. No visa may be issued under subsection (a)(1) until such a petition has been approved. "(c) ALLOCATION.-Visa numbers made available under subsection (a) shall be made available in the order which petitions under subsection (b) are filed with the Attorney General."(d) DEFINITIONS.-In this section: "(1) EXECUTIVE CAPACITY.-The term 'executive capacity' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(44)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(44)(B) ], as added by section 123 of this Act. "(2) MANAGERIAL CAPACITY.-The term 'managerial capacity' has the meaning given such term in section 101(a)(44)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as added by section 123 of this Act."(3) OFFICER.-The term 'officer' means, with respect to a business entity, the chairman or vice-chairman of the board of directors of the entity, the chairman or vice-chairman of the executive committee of the board of directors, the president, any vice-president, any assistant vice-president, any senior trust officer, the secretary, any assistant secretary, the treasurer, any assistant treasurer, any trust officer or associate trust officer, the controller, any assistant controller, or any other officer of the entity customarily performing functions similar to those performed by any of the above officers. "(4) SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE.-The term 'specialized knowledge' has the meaning given such term in section 214(c)(2)(B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1184(c)(2)(B) ], as amended by section 206(b)(2) of this Act. "(5) SUPERVISOR.-The term 'supervisor' means any individual having authority, in the interest of the employer, to hire, transfer, suspend, lay off, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, or discipline other employees, or responsibility to direct them, or to adjust their grievances, or effectively recommend such action, if in connection with the foregoing the exercise of such authority is not merely of a routine or clerical nature, but requires the use of independent judgment." [ Section 124 of Pub. L. 101-649 effective Nov. 29, 1990, and (unless otherwise provided) applicable to fiscal year 1991, see section 161(b) of Pub. L. 101-649 set out as an Effective Date of 1990 Amendment note under section 1101 of this title.]
DIVERSITY TRANSITION FOR ALIENS WHO ARE NATIVES OF CERTAIN ADVERSELY AFFECTED FOREIGN STATES Pub. L. 103-416, title II, §217(b), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4315, provided that: "(1) ELIGIBILITY.-For the purpose of carrying out the extension of the diversity transition program under the amendments made by subsection (a) [amending section 132 of Pub. L. 101-649 set out below], applications for natives of diversity transition countries submitted for fiscal year 1995 for diversity immigrants under section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(c) ] shall be considered applications for visas made available for fiscal year 1995 for the diversity transition program under section 132 of the Immigration Act of 1990 [ section 132 of Pub. L. 101-649]. No application period for the fiscal year 1995 diversity transition program shall be established and no new applications may be accepted for visas made available under such program for fiscal year 1995. Applications for visas in excess of the minimum available to natives of the country specified in section 132(c) of the Immigration Act of 1990 shall be selected for qualified applicants within the several regions defined in section 203(c)(1)(F) of the Immigration and Nationality Act in proportion to the region's share of visas issued in the diversity transition program during fiscal years 1992 and 1993. "(2) NOTIFICATION.-Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Oct. 25, 1994], notification of the extension of the diversity transition program for fiscal year 1995 and the provision of visa numbers shall be made to each eligible applicant under paragraph (1)."(3) REQUIREMENTS.-Notwithstanding any other provision of law, for the purpose of carrying out the extension of the diversity transition program under the amendments made by subsection (a), the requirement of section 132(b)(2) of the Immigration Act of 1990 shall not apply to applicants under such extension and the requirement of section 203(c)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act shall apply to such applicants." Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §132, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5000, as amended by Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(b)(6), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1743; Pub. L. 103-416, title II, §217(a), Oct. 25, 1994, 108 Stat. 4315, provided that:"(a) IN GENERAL.-Notwithstanding the numerical limitations in sections 201 and 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1151, 1152 ], there shall be made available to qualified immigrants described in subsection (b) (or in subsection (d) as the spouse or child of such an alien) 40,000 immigrant visas in each of fiscal years 1992, 1993, and 1994 and in fiscal year 1995 a number of immigrant visas equal to the number of such visas provided (but not made available) under this section in previous fiscal years. If the full number of such visas are not made available in fiscal year 1992 or 1993, the shortfall shall be added to the number of such visas to be made available under this section in the succeeding fiscal year."(b) QUALIFIED ALIEN DESCRIBED.-An alien described in this subsection is an alien who-"(1) is a native of a foreign state that was identified as an adversely affected foreign state for purposes of section 314 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 [ Pub. L. 99-603 set out below],"(2) has a firm commitment for employment in the United States for a period of at least 1 year (beginning on the date of admission under this section), and "(3) except as provided in subsection (c), is admissible as an immigrant."(c) DISTRIBUTION OF VISA NUMBERS.-The Secretary of State shall provide for making immigrant visas provided under subsection (a) available strictly in a random order among those who qualify during the application period for each fiscal year established by the Secretary of State, except that at least 40 percent of the number of such visas in each fiscal year shall be made available to natives of the foreign state the natives of which received the greatest number of visas issued under section 314 of the Immigration Reform and Control Act [of 1986] (or to aliens described in subsection (d) who are the spouses or children of such natives) and except that if more than one application is submitted for any fiscal year (beginning with fiscal year 1993) with respect to any alien all such applications submitted with respect to the alien and fiscal year shall be voided. If the minimum number of such visas are not made available in fiscal year 1992, 1993, or 1994 to such natives, the shortfall shall be added to the number of such visas to be made available under this section to such natives in the succeeding fiscal year. In applying this section, natives of Northern Ireland shall be deemed to be natives of Ireland."(d) DERIVATIVE STATUS FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN.-A spouse or child (as defined in section 101(b)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1101(b)(1)(A), (B), (C), (D), (E) ]) shall, if not otherwise entitled to an immigrant status and the immediate issuance of a visa under this section, be entitled to the same status, and the same order of consideration, provided under this section, if accompanying, or following to join, his spouse or parent. "(e) WAIVERS OF GROUNDS OF EXCLUSION.-In determining the admissibility of an alien provided a visa number under this section, the Attorney General shall waive the ground of exclusion specified in paragraph (6)(C) of section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1182(a) ], unless the Attorney General finds that such a waiver is not in the national interest. In addition, the provisions of section 212(e) of such Act shall not apply so as to prevent an individual's application for a visa or admission under this section."(f) APPLICATION FEE.-The Secretary of State shall require payment of a reasonable fee for the filing of an application under this section in order to cover the costs of processing applications under this section."[ Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(b)(6)(C), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1743, provided that the amendment made by section 302(b)(6)(C) to section 132(b)(1) of Pub. L. 101-649 set out above, is effective after fiscal year 1992.][ Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(b)(6)(D)(i), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1743, provided that the amendment made by section 302(b)(6)(D)(i) to section 132(c) of Pub. L. 101-649 set out above, is effective beginning with fiscal year 1993.]
ONE-YEAR DIVERSITY TRANSITION FOR ALIENS WHO HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF AVAILABILITY OF NP-5 VISAS Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §133, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5000, provided that, notwithstanding numerical limitations in sections 1151 and 1152 of this title, there were to be made available in fiscal year 1991, immigrant visa numbers for qualified immigrants who were notified by Secretary of State before May 1, 1990, of their selection for issuance of visa under section 314 of Pub. L. 99-603 formerly set out as a note below, and were qualified for issuance of such visa but for numerical and fiscal year limitations on issuance of such visas, former section 1182(a)(19) of this title or section 1182(e) of this title, or fact that immigrant was a national, but not a native, of foreign state described in section 314 of Pub. L. 99-603.
TRANSITION FOR DISPLACED TIBETANS Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §134, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5001, as amended by Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(b)(7), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1744, provided that, notwithstanding numerical limitations in sections 1151 and 1152 of this title, there were to be made available to qualified displaced Tibetans who were natives of Tibet and had been continuously residing in India or Nepal since Nov. 29, 1990, 1,000 immigrant visas in the 3-fiscal-year period beginning with fiscal year 1991.
EXPEDITED ISSUANCE OF LEBANESE SECOND AND FIFTH PREFERENCE VISAS Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §155, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5007, as amended by Pub. L. 102-232, title III, §302(d)(5), Dec. 12, 1991, 105 Stat. 1745, provided that: "(a) IN GENERAL.-In the issuance of immigrant visas to certain Lebanese immigrants described in subsection (b) in fiscal years 1991 and 1992 and notwithstanding section 203(c) (or section 203(e), in the case of fiscal year 1992) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(c), (e) ] (to the extent inconsistent with this section), the Secretary of State shall provide that immigrant visas which would otherwise be made available in the fiscal year shall be made available as early as possible in the fiscal year."(b) LEBANESE IMMIGRANTS COVERED.-Lebanese immigrants described in this subsection are aliens who-"(1) are natives of Lebanon,"(2) are not firmly resettled in any foreign country outside Lebanon, and "(3) as of the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1990], are the beneficiaries of a petition approved to accord status under section 203(a)(2) or 203(a)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(2), (5) ] (as in effect as of the date of the enactment of this Act),or who are the spouse or child of such an alien if accompanying or following to join the alien."[ Section 155 of Pub. L. 101-649 effective Nov. 29, 1990, and (unless otherwise provided) applicable to fiscal year 1991, see section 161(b) of Pub. L. 101-649 set out as an Effective Date of 1990 Amendment note under section 1101 of this title.]
ORDER OF CONSIDERATION Pub. L. 101-649, title I, §162(a)(2), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 5010, provided that: "Nothing in this Act [see Tables for classification] may be construed as continuing the availability of visas under section 203(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [ 8 U.S.C. 1153(a)(7) ], as in effect before the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1990]."
MAKING VISAS AVAILABLE TO IMMIGRANTS FROM UNDERREPRESENTED COUNTRIES TO ENHANCE DIVERSITY IN IMMIGRATION Pub. L. 100-658, §3, Nov. 15, 1988, 102 Stat. 3908, provided that, notwithstanding numerical limitations in section 1151(a) of this title, but subject to numerical limitations in section 1152 of this title, there were to be made available to qualified immigrants who were natives of underrepresented countries, 10,000 visa numbers in each of fiscal years 1990 and 1991.
MAKING VISAS AVAILABLE TO NONPREFERENCE IMMIGRANTSPub. L. 99-603, title III, §314, Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 3439, as amended by Pub. L. 100-658, §2(a), Nov. 15, 1988, 102 Stat. 3908, provided that, notwithstanding numerical limitations in section 1151(a) of this title, but subject to numerical limitations in section 1152 of this title, there were to be made available to qualified immigrants described in section 1153(a)(7) of this title, 5,000 visa numbers in each of fiscal years 1987 and 1988 and 15,000 visa numbers in each of fiscal years 1989 and 1990.
REFERENCES TO CONDITIONAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS OF SUBSECTION (A)(7) OF THIS SECTION IN OTHER FEDERAL LAWSPub. L. 96-212, title II, §203(h), Mar. 17, 1980, 94 Stat. 108, provided that: "Any reference in any law (other than the Immigration and Nationality Act [this chapter] or this Act [see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title]) in effect on April 1, 1980, to section 203(a)(7) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [subsec. (a)(7) of this section] shall be deemed to be a reference to such section as in effect before such date and to sections 207 and 208 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [sections 1157 and 1158 of this title]."
RETROACTIVE ADJUSTMENT OF REFUGEE STATUS For adjustment of the status of refugees paroled into the United States pursuant to section 1182(d)(5) of this title, see section 5 of Pub. L. 95-412 set out as a note under section 1182 of this title.
ENTITLEMENT TO PREFERENTIAL STATUS Pub. L. 94-571, §9, Oct. 20, 1976, 90 Stat. 2707, provided that:"(a) The amendments made by this Act [see Short Title of 1976 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title] shall not operate to effect the entitlement to immigrant status or the order of consideration for issuance of an immigrant visa of an alien entitled to a preference status, under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [subsec. (a) of this section] as in effect on the day before the effective date of this Act [see Effective Date of 1976 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title], on the basis of a petition filed with the Attorney General prior to such effective date."(b) An alien chargeable to the numerical limitation contained in section 21(e) of the Act of October 3, 1965 (79 Stat. 921) [which provided that unless legislation inconsistent therewith was enacted on or before June 30, 1968, the number of special immigrants within the meaning of section 1101(a)(27)(A) of this title, exclusive of special immigrants who were immediate relatives of United States citizens as described in section 1151(b) of this title, should not, in the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1968, or in any fiscal year thereafter, exceed a total of 120,000] who established a priority date at a consular office on the basis of entitlement to immigrant status under statutory or regulatory provisions in existence on the day before the effective date of this Act [see Effective Date of 1976 Amendment note under section 1101 of this title] shall be deemed to be entitled to immigrant status under section 203(a)(8) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [subsec. (a)(8) of this section] and shall be accorded the priority date previously established by him. Nothing in this section shall be construed to preclude the acquisition by such an alien of a preference status under section 203(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act [subsec. (a) of this section], as amended by section 4 of this Act. Any petition filed by, or in behalf of, such an alien to accord him a preference status under section 203(a) [subsec. (a) of this section] shall, upon approval, be deemed to have been filed as of the priority date previously established by such alien. The numerical limitation to which such an alien shall be chargeable shall be determined as provided in sections 201 and 202 of the Immigration and Nationality Act [sections 1151 and 1152 of this title], as amended by this Act [see Short Title of 1976 Amendment note set out under section 1101 of this title]."
NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT STATUS OF CERTAIN RELATIVES OF UNITED STATES CITIZENS; ISSUANCE OF NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS ON BASIS OF PETITIONS FILED PRIOR TO JANUARY 1, 1962Pub. L. 87-885, §1, Oct. 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 1247, which provided that certain alien relatives of United States citizens registered on a consular waiting list under priority date earlier than March 31, 1954, and eligible for a quota immigrant status on a basis of a petition filed with the Attorney General prior to January 1, 1962, and the spouse and children of such alien, be held to be nonquota immigrants and be issued nonquota immigrant visas, was repealed by Pub. L. 99-653, §11, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657, as amended by Pub. L. 100-525, §8(j)(1), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2617, eff. Nov. 14, 1986.
NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT STATUS OF SKILLED SPECIALISTS; ISSUANCE OF NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS ON BASIS OF PETITIONS FILED PRIOR TO APRIL 1, 1962Pub. L. 87-885, §2, Oct. 24, 1962, 76 Stat. 1247, which provided that certain alien skilled specialists eligible for a quota immigrant status on the basis of a petition filed with the Attorney General prior to April 1, 1962, be held to be nonquota immigrants and be issued nonquota immigrant visas, was repealed by Pub. L. 99-653, §11, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657, as amended by Pub. L. 100-525, §8(j)(1), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2617, eff. Nov. 14, 1986.
ISSUANCE OF NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS TO CERTAIN ELIGIBLE ORPHANSPub. L. 87-301, §25, Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 657, as amended by Pub. L. 99-653, §11, Nov. 14, 1986, 100 Stat. 3657; Pub. L. 100-525, §8(j)(2), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2617, provided that: "At any time prior to the expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day immediately following the enactment of this Act [Sept. 26, 1961] a special nonquota immigrant visa may be issued to an eligible orphan as defined in section 4 of the Act of September 11, 1957, as amended ( 8 U.S.C. 1205; 71 Stat. 639, 73 Stat. 490, 74 Stat. 505), if a visa petition filed in behalf of such eligible orphan was (A) approved by the Attorney General prior to September 30, 1961, or (B) pending before the Attorney General prior to September 30, 1961, and the Attorney General approves such petition."[ Pub. L. 99-653, §23(c), as added by Pub. L. 100-525, §8(r), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2619, provided that: "The amendments made by section 11 [amending section 25 of Pub. L. 87-301 set out above and repealing sections 1 and 2 of Pub. L. 87-885] take effect on November 14, 1986."]
NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT STATUS OF SPOUSES AND CHILDREN OF CERTAIN ALIENSPub. L. 86-363, §4, Sept. 22, 1959, 73 Stat. 644, providing that an alien registered on a consular waiting list was eligible for quota immigrant status on basis of a petition approved prior to Jan. 1, 1959, along with the spouse and children of such alien, was repealed by Pub. L. 87-301, §24(a)(7), Sept. 26, 1961.[Repeal of section 4 of Pub. L. 86-363 effective upon expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day immediately following Sept. 26, 1961, see section 24(b) of Pub. L. 87-301 set out as a note under former section 1255a of this title.]
ADOPTED SONS OR ADOPTED DAUGHTERS, PREFERENCE STATUSPub. L. 86-363, §5(c), Sept. 22, 1959, 73 Stat. 645, provided that aliens granted a preference pursuant to petitions approved by the Attorney General on the ground that they were the adopted sons or adopted daughters of United States citizens were to remain in that status notwithstanding the provisions of section 1 of Pub. L. 86-363 (amending this section), unless they acquired a different immigrant status pursuant to a petition approved by the Attorney General.
SPECIAL NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS FOR REFUGEESPub. L. 86-363, §6, Sept. 22, 1959, 73 Stat. 645, authorizing issuance of nonquota immigrant visas to aliens eligible to enter for permanent residence if the alien was the beneficiary of a visa petition approved by the Attorney General, and such petition was filed by a person admitted under former section 1971 et seq., of the former Appendix to Title 50, was repealed by Pub. L. 87-301, §24(a)(7), Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 657.[Repeal of section 6 of Pub. L. 86-363 effective upon expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day immediately following Sept. 26, 1961, see section 24(b) of Pub. L. 87-301 set out as a note under former section 1255a of this title.]
ISSUANCE OF NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS ON BASIS OF PETITIONS APPROVED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1957Pub. L. 85-316, §12, Sept. 11, 1957, 71 Stat. 642, which provided that aliens eligible for quota immigrant status on basis of a petition approved prior to July 1, 1957, would be held to be nonquota immigrants, and if otherwise admissible, be issued visas, was repealed by Pub. L. 87-301, §24(a)(5), Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 657.[Repeal of section 12 of Pub. L. 85-316 effective upon expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day immediately following Sept. 26, 1961, see section 24(b) of Pub. L. 87-301 set out as a note under former section 1255a of this title.]
ISSUANCE OF NONQUOTA IMMIGRANT VISAS ON BASIS OF PETITIONS APPROVED PRIOR TO JULY 1, 1958 Pub. L. 85-316, §12A, as added by Pub. L. 85-700, §2, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 699, providing that aliens eligible for quota immigrant status on basis of a petition approved prior to July 1, 1958, shall be held to be nonquota immigrants and issued visas, was repealed by Pub. L. 87-301, §24(a)(6), Sept. 26, 1961, 75 Stat. 657.[Repeal of section 12A of Pub. L. 85-316 effective upon expiration of the one hundred and eightieth day immediately following Sept. 26, 1961, see section 24(b) of Pub. L. 87-301 set out as a note under former section 1255a of this title.]
- Attorney General
- The term "Attorney General" means the Attorney General of the United States.
- Service
- The term "Service" means the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Department of Justice.
- State
- The term "State" includes the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands of the United States, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- administrator
- The term "administrator" means the official designated by the Secretary of State pursuant to section 1104(b) of this title.
- alien
- The term "alien" means any person not a citizen or national of the United States.
- consular officer
- The term "consular officer" means any consular, diplomatic, or other officer or employee of the United States designated under regulations prescribed under authority contained in this chapter, for the purpose of issuing immigrant or nonimmigrant visas or, when used in subchapter III, for the purpose of adjudicating nationality.
- executive capacity
- The term "executive capacity" means an assignment within an organization in which the employee primarily-(i) directs the management of the organization or a major component or function of the organization;(ii) establishes the goals and policies of the organization, component, or function;(iii) exercises wide latitude in discretionary decision-making; and(iv) receives only general supervision or direction from higher level executives, the board of directors, or stockholders of the organization.
- extraordinary ability
- The term "extraordinary ability" means, for purposes of subsection (a)(15)(O)(i), in the case of the arts, distinction.
- foreign state
- The term "foreign state" includes outlying possessions of a foreign state, but self-governing dominions or territories under mandate or trusteeship shall be regarded as separate foreign states.
- immigrant visa
- The term "immigrant visa" means an immigrant visa required by this chapter and properly issued by a consular officer at his office outside of the United States to an eligible immigrant under the provisions of this chapter.
- immigration laws
- The term "immigration laws" includes this chapter and all laws, conventions, and treaties of the United States relating to the immigration, exclusion, deportation, expulsion, or removal of aliens.
- immigration officer
- The term "immigration officer" means any employee or class of employees of the Service or of the United States designated by the Attorney General, individually or by regulation, to perform the functions of an immigration officer specified by this chapter or any section of this title.
- lawfully admitted for permanent residence
- The term "lawfully admitted for permanent residence" means the status of having been lawfully accorded the privilege of residing permanently in the United States as an immigrant in accordance with the immigration laws, such status not having changed.
- managerial capacity
- The term "managerial capacity" means an assignment within an organization in which the employee primarily-(i) manages the organization, or a department, subdivision, function, or component of the organization;(ii) supervises and controls the work of other supervisory, professional, or managerial employees, or manages an essential function within the organization, or a department or subdivision of the organization;(iii) if another employee or other employees are directly supervised, has the authority to hire and fire or recommend those as well as other personnel actions (such as promotion and leave authorization) or, if no other employee is directly supervised, functions at a senior level within the organizational hierarchy or with respect to the function managed; and(iv) exercises discretion over the day-to-day operations of the activity or function for which the employee has authority.A first-line supervisor is not considered to be acting in a managerial capacity merely by virtue of the supervisor's supervisory duties unless the employees supervised are professional.
- national of the United States
- The term "national of the United States" means (A) a citizen of the United States, or (B) a person who, though not a citizen of the United States, owes permanent allegiance to the United States.
- national
- The term "national" means a person owing permanent allegiance to a state.
- naturalization
- The term "naturalization" means the conferring of nationality of a state upon a person after birth, by any means whatsoever.
- organization
- The term "organization" means, but is not limited to, an organization, corporation, company, partnership, association, trust, foundation or fund; and includes a group of persons, whether or not incorporated, permanently or temporarily associated together with joint action on any subject or subjects.
- permanent
- The term "permanent" means a relationship of continuing or lasting nature, as distinguished from temporary, but a relationship may be permanent even though it is one that may be dissolved eventually at the instance either of the United States or of the individual, in accordance with law.
- person
- The term "person" means an individual or an organization.
- refugee
- The term "refugee" means (A) any person who is outside any country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, is outside any country in which such person last habitually resided, and who is unable or unwilling to return to, and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of, that country because of persecution or a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, or (B) in such special circumstances as the President after appropriate consultation (as defined in section 1157(e) of this title) may specify, any person who is within the country of such person's nationality or, in the case of a person having no nationality, within the country in which such person is habitually residing, and who is persecuted or who has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. The term "refugee" does not include any person who ordered, incited, assisted, or otherwise participated in the persecution of any person on account of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. For purposes of determinations under this chapter, a person who has been forced to abort a pregnancy or to undergo involuntary sterilization, or who has been persecuted for failure or refusal to undergo such a procedure or for other resistance to a coercive population control program, shall be deemed to have been persecuted on account of political opinion, and a person who has a well founded fear that he or she will be forced to undergo such a procedure or subject to persecution for such failure, refusal, or resistance shall be deemed to have a well founded fear of persecution on account of political opinion.
- residence
- The term "residence" means the place of general abode; the place of general abode of a person means his principal, actual dwelling place in fact, without regard to intent.
- admission
- The terms "admission" and "admitted" mean, with respect to an alien, the lawful entry of the alien into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer.
- admitted
- The terms "admission" and "admitted" mean, with respect to an alien, the lawful entry of the alien into the United States after inspection and authorization by an immigration officer.