The bill would also benefit “essential workers” as defined in a DHS memorandum dated August 10, 2021. According to the DHS memo, “The industries that essential workers support represent, but are not limited to, medical and healthcare, telecommunications, information technology systems, defense, food and agriculture, transportation and logistics, energy, water and wastewater, and law enforcement.”
Essential workers would have to show continuous physical presence in the U.S. since January 1, 2021 and show a consistent record of earned income in the U.S. in an occupation listed in the DHS Guidance Memo from January 31, 2020 to August 24, 2021.
Persons qualifying as essential workers would be able to adjust their status without PERM applications or I-140 visa petitions. They would be exempt from the $5,000 supplemental fee, EB numerical limitations and would be eligible to adjust their status in the US even if they are not in nonimmigrant status.
Other people who would benefit under this bill include Dreamers (whether or not they are currently in lawful status), TPS holders and farmworkers.
The bill would increase USCIS’s budget by $2.8 billion to allow the agency to process the applications listed above. .
Will The Bill Become Law?
