Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2026

Bill Number

H.R. 9494

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Last Updated

2026-07-07T05:08:21Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation This bill establishes a process for certain Haitian nationals and their immediate family members to apply for lawful permanent resident status in the United States.

Key Provisions Outlined

• Eligibility: Applies to Haitian nationals who have been continuously present in the U.S. since June 26, 2024, or to their spouses, children, or unmarried adult children.
• Application Process: Eligible individuals must apply within three years of the bill's enactment and meet basic admissibility standards, with some grounds of inadmissibility (such as certain entry violations or public charge rules) waived.
• Exceptions: Individuals convicted of aggravated felonies, multiple crimes involving moral turpitude, or who participated in persecution are ineligible.
• Removal Protections: Pending applications halt removal proceedings, and applicants may receive work authorization after 180 days if the application remains undecided.
• Review Rights: Applicants receive the same administrative and judicial review options as those applying under standard immigration adjustment rules.
• Visa Numbers: No reduction in available immigrant visas occurs to offset approvals under this bill.

Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced

• Creates a new, time-limited adjustment of status pathway specifically for Haitian nationals, bypassing some standard inadmissibility barriers and removal order requirements that typically apply under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
• Allows applications even for individuals already under final removal, exclusion, or deportation orders without needing a separate motion to reopen those cases.
• Establishes automatic cancellation of prior removal orders upon approval and provides for a record of permanent residence dating back to the individual's arrival in the U.S.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Homeland Security (which handles applications and work permits) and the Department of Justice (which oversees immigration courts), potentially affecting processing times and enforcement priorities.
• Citizens and Residents: Provides a route to permanent residency and work authorization for qualifying Haitian nationals and their families, which may affect local communities through changes in employment and residency status.
• International Relations: Could influence U.S.-Haiti relations by formalizing protections for a specific group of migrants, though the bill does not alter broader foreign policy or visa allocation rules.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Haitian nationals meeting the continuous presence requirement and their qualifying family members.
• U.S. immigration agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and Executive Office for Immigration Review.
• Individuals currently in removal proceedings or subject to prior deportation orders.
• Employers and communities where eligible individuals reside or work.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Operates within Congress's authority over immigration and naturalization, without altering core constitutional powers or creating new judicial review standards beyond those already in existing law.
• Includes a savings clause preserving the Secretary of Homeland Security's general enforcement authority under immigration statutes.
• The bill's structure mirrors past targeted adjustment programs but applies narrowly to one national group with specific date-based eligibility criteria.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Wilson, Frederica S. [D-FL-24]

Cosponsors (11)

Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Figures, Shomari [D-AL-2], Rep. Frost, Maxwell [D-FL-10], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Moore, Gwen [D-WI-4], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-25: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
• 2026-06-25: Introduced in House
• 2026-06-25: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-25 — PDF (9 pages)