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H.R. 4696: Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929

This bill, known as the "Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929," aims to amend existing immigration law, specifically section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The key changes proposed by the bill are as follows:

Definition of Long-Term Residents

The bill proposes to alter the language in section 249 to update the criteria for individuals who are eligible for benefits under this section. Currently, the section specifies only those individuals who entered the United States before January 1, 1972. The amendment would change this to focus on individuals who are defined as long-term residents of the United States.

Eligibility Criteria

Under the revised criteria, individuals would need to demonstrate that they have:

Entered the United States at least **7 years** before the date they apply for the benefits.

By changing the threshold from a specific date to a duration of residency, the bill aims to make it possible for more individuals who have been living in the U.S. for a significant length of time to qualify for legal status or other immigration benefits.

Effective Date

The changes proposed in this bill would take effect **60 days** after the bill is enacted into law. This means that once it is passed and signed, eligible candidates would be able to apply under the new guidelines within two months.

Impact on Long-Term Residents

The intent behind these amendments appears to be to provide a pathway to legal status for individuals who have established lives in the United States over many years but may not have qualified under the previous criteria based on dates of entry.