Back in February, Key West The Newspaper was first to report here that a new federal law— the LIFE Act— might make it possible for many foreign nationals working illegally here to "get legal." The law made it possible for employers or family members who are U.S. citizens to sponsor a Labor Certification petition for an alien, which provides the basis for an application for Lawful Permanent Residence— a "green card."
The process might take several years and is not inexpensive— but the foreign worker for whom the petition is filed is allowed to stay in the U.S. while the application is being processed.
The window of opportunity to apply closed last week, on April 30. But several bills have already been introduced in Congress to extend that window for up to a year. President George Bush supports an extension as does Richard Gephardt, the Minority Leader in the U.S. House of Representatives.
"I am a strong proponent of government policies that recognize the importance of families and that help to strengthen them," Gephardt wrote in a letter dated May 1, 2001. "To the extent possible, I believe that our immigration policies should reflect that philosophy.
"That is why I support legislation to extend the window created under section 245(i) of the Immigration and Naturalization Act during which qualified immigrants may obtain legal residence in the United States without being forced to first leave the country and their families for several years."
The Immigration & Naturalization Service has reportedly instructed all district directors not to initiate removal proceedings against persons who filed a 245(i) application before April 30, 2001.