Defend our Coast Act

IntroducedApril 10, 2025

Introduced11 months ago

Intro

House

Senate

Pres

Introduced in Senate

Immigration

Why This Matters

This bill creates a new way for certain people who entered the United States as dependent children of work visa holders to become lawful permanent residents. It also protects them from losing eligibility as they age and lets them keep their original application dates.

Who this affects

dependent children of work visa holders · their families · Department of Homeland Security · other agencies handling immigration petitions

What changes is this bill making?

1Changes the law to let people who came to the U.S. as dependent children of work visa holders get lawful permanent resident status if they lived here lawfully for at least 10 years, spent at least 8 years as dependent children, and graduated from a U.S. college.
2Allows eligible individuals to submit a petition to the Department of Homeland Security for this status.
3Sets rules to lock in an applicant’s age at the date they file their petition or a related labor application so they do not lose eligibility as they get older.
4Allows those whose applications were denied in the past to ask for reopening or reconsideration within two years if the new age rules would apply, and exempts them from numerical visa limits if approved.
5Updates rules for dependent children of work visa holders to use the same age definition when they apply to extend or change their status and lets them work in the U.S. while they hold that status.
6Changes how filing dates are applied so both main applicants and their family members keep the earliest date from any approved petition or labor certification.

Read full document

Defend our Coast Act

IntroducedApril 10, 2025

Introduced11 months ago

Intro

House

Senate

Pres

Introduced in Senate

Immigration

Why This Matters

Who this affects

dependent children of work visa holders · their families · Department of Homeland Security · other agencies handling immigration petitions

What changes is this bill making?

1Changes the law to let people who came to the U.S. as dependent children of work visa holders get lawful permanent resident status if they lived here lawfully for at least 10 years, spent at least 8 years as dependent children, and graduated from a U.S. college.
2Allows eligible individuals to submit a petition to the Department of Homeland Security for this status.
3Sets rules to lock in an applicant’s age at the date they file their petition or a related labor application so they do not lose eligibility as they get older.
4Allows those whose applications were denied in the past to ask for reopening or reconsideration within two years if the new age rules would apply, and exempts them from numerical visa limits if approved.
5Updates rules for dependent children of work visa holders to use the same age definition when they apply to extend or change their status and lets them work in the U.S. while they hold that status.
6Changes how filing dates are applied so both main applicants and their family members keep the earliest date from any approved petition or labor certification.

Read full document