Washington, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A Democratic senator has reintroduced legislation in the US Senate aimed at providing a pathway to lawful permanent residency for millions of long-term immigrants, including H-1B visa holders, amid intensified immigration enforcement under the Donald Trump administration.
Senator Alex Padilla of California said the proposed Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 would modernise the long-standing Registry provision under US immigration law, which has remained unchanged since 1986.
Under the proposal, immigrants who have continuously lived in the United States for at least seven years before applying would become eligible to seek lawful permanent resident status, provided they have no criminal record and meet all existing green card eligibility requirements.
The legislation is expected to benefit a broad range of immigrants, including Dreamers, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, essential workers and children of long-term work visa holders. It could also provide significant relief to highly skilled professionals on H-1B visas, many of whom have spent years waiting for employment-based green cards.
The measure is likely to be of particular interest to Indian professionals, who make up a substantial proportion of H-1B visa holders and often face prolonged delays in obtaining permanent residency because of country-based limits on employment-based green cards.
Padilla said Congress should modernise immigration laws to reflect the contributions of long-term residents who have built their lives in the United States. He argued that millions continue to live with uncertainty despite contributing to the country’s economy and communities.
The bill seeks to amend Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act by replacing the current Registry eligibility cutoff date of January 1, 1972, with a rolling seven-year residency requirement. If enacted, the change would take effect 60 days after the law comes into force.
Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin is co-leading the legislation, which has the backing of 14 other senators. Representative Zoe Lofgren has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
The proposal has also received endorsements from more than 30 labour, immigration and civil rights organisations, including the AFL-CIO, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), UNITE HERE, United Farm Workers and the National Immigration Law Center.
Despite the support, the legislation faces an uncertain future in Congress amid sharp political divisions over immigration policy.
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