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Simple English definitions for legal terms
LIFE Act
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A quick definition of LIFE Act:
The LIFE Act is a law that was passed in 2000 to help families of immigrants stay together. It made it easier for spouses and children of permanent residents to come to the United States while they waited for their visas. It also allowed them to work and study while they waited. The law also expanded the availability of K visas, which allowed non-resident spouses and children of U.S. citizens to come to the United States while they waited for their status to be adjusted. Finally, the law helped members of certain class action lawsuits against the Immigration and Naturalization Service apply for permanent residency if they met certain requirements.
A more thorough explanation:
The LIFE Act stands for Legal Immigration Family Equity Act. It was introduced as part of the Congressional bill H.R. 5548 to encourage immigrant family reunification. The act was passed by the 106th Congress and signed into law by President Bill Clinton on December 21, 2000.
- Section 1102 of the LIFE Act granted temporary visas for spouses of permanent resident aliens whose immigrant visa petitions had been pending or approved for 3 years or more prior to the LIFE Act’s passing, but who were waiting for visa availability.
- Section 1103 of the LIFE Act expanded the availability of K visas to non-resident spouses of U.S. citizens, as well as minor children of a non-resident spouse or fiancé.
- Section 1104 of the LIFE Act allowed members of certain class action lawsuits against the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to apply for an adjustment of their status to permanent resident if certain requirements were met.
The examples illustrate how the LIFE Act amended multiple sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to provide temporary visas, expand the availability of K visas, and allow certain members of class action lawsuits to apply for permanent residency.