Bill Summary
The **9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Act** is a legislative proposal aimed at providing a pathway to lawful permanent residency for individuals who aided in rescue, recovery, or cleanup operations following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Key provisions of the bill include:
1. **Adjustment of Status**: Eligible individuals can apply for permanent residency within 18 months of the bill's enactment, with possible extensions for compelling circumstances.
2. **Eligibility Criteria**: The bill outlines specific criteria for eligibility, including:
- Individuals who worked or volunteered on-site in New York City, Staten Island, or at the Pentagon or Shanksville crash sites during designated timeframes.
- Vehicle maintenance workers exposed to toxins while working on contaminated vehicles.
3. **Work Authorization**: Applicants for status adjustment can work legally in the U.S. while their application is pending.
4. **Fee Waivers**: Fees for the application may be waived for individuals demonstrating financial hardship or receiving certain public benefits.
5. **Confidentiality Protections**: The bill ensures that information provided in applications cannot be used for immigration enforcement purposes, with limited exceptions for national security or fraud prevention.
6. **No Visa Cap Impact**: Granting permanent residency under this act will not count against the annual limit of immigrant visas.
Overall, this legislation recognizes and addresses the contributions of individuals who responded to the 9/11 attacks, facilitating their adjustment to legal residency status while providing safeguards and support throughout the process.
Possible Impacts
The "9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Act" provides a pathway for certain individuals who participated in recovery efforts after the September 11 attacks to adjust their immigration status to lawful permanent residency. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Legal Status and Stability**: Individuals who worked or volunteered in rescue and recovery efforts would have the opportunity to secure lawful permanent resident status. This change would provide them with legal status in the U.S., which could enhance their job security, access to social services, and overall stability in their lives. For many, this could mean no longer living in fear of deportation and being able to contribute fully to their communities.
2. **Work Authorization During Application Process**: The legislation allows individuals who apply for adjustment of status to receive work authorization while their application is being processed. This provision would enable them to continue working legally and supporting their families, which is particularly important for those who may have been financially impacted by their involvement in recovery efforts or who have faced economic hardships as a result of the aftermath of the attacks.
3. **Fee Waivers for Applicants in Financial Hardship**: The Act includes provisions for waiving application fees for those who demonstrate financial need, which could significantly lower barriers for eligible individuals who might otherwise be unable to afford the costs associated with adjusting their immigration status. This would help ensure that financial constraints do not prevent deserving individuals from obtaining the benefits of lawful residency, thereby promoting inclusivity and support for those who risked their lives in service to others.
Overall, the legislation aims to provide a pathway to stability and recognition for those who contributed to the nation’s recovery efforts post-9/11, acknowledging their sacrifices and facilitating their integration into society.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 5333 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 5333
To provide individuals who performed rescue, recovery, demolition,
debris cleanup, or other related services after the September 11
terrorist attacks an opportunity to adjust their status to that of
lawful permanent residents, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 11, 2025
Ms. Ocasio-Cortez (for herself, Mr. Espaillat, Ms. Meng, Ms. Velazquez,
Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Torres of New York, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Fields,
Mr. Vargas, Ms. Ansari, Mr. Nadler, Mr. McGovern, Mr. Thanedar, Mr.
Meeks, Mr. Garcia of Illinois, Ms. Tlaib, Mr. Goldman of New York, and
Mr. Latimer) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the
Committee on the Judiciary
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To provide individuals who performed rescue, recovery, demolition,
debris cleanup, or other related services after the September 11
terrorist attacks an opportunity to adjust their status to that of
lawful permanent residents, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Act''.
SEC. 2. ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS FOR CERTAIN WORKERS AFTER TERRORIST
ATTACKS.
(a) Adjustment of Status.--Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General shall
adjust the status of any individual described in subsection (b) to that
of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if such
individual applies for such adjustment not later than 18 months after
the date of the enactment of this Act, which may be extended at the
discretion of the Secretary in cases with compelling circumstances.
(b) Aliens Eligible for Adjustment of Status.--
(1) In general.--The benefit provided by subsection (a)
shall apply to any alien who--
(A) worked or volunteered onsite in rescue,
recovery, debris cleanup, or related support services
in lower Manhattan (south of Canal St.), the Staten
Island Landfill, or the barge loading piers, for at
least 4 hours during the period beginning on September
11, 2001, and ending on September 14, 2001, for at
least 24 hours during the period beginning on September
11, 2001, and ending on September 30, 2001, or for at
least 80 hours during the period beginning on September
11, 2001, and ending on July 31, 2002;
(B) was a vehicle-maintenance worker who was
exposed to debris from the former World Trade Center
while retrieving, driving, cleaning, repairing, and
maintaining vehicles contaminated by airborne toxins
from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks for any
time during the period beginning on September 11, 2001,
and ending on July 31, 2002;
(C) was a member of a fire or police department
(whether fire or emergency personnel, active or
retired), worked for a recovery or cleanup contractor,
or was a volunteer; and performed rescue, recovery,
demolition, debris cleanup, or other related services
at the Pentagon site of the terrorist-related aircraft
crash of September 11, 2001, during the period
beginning on September 11, 2001, and ending on November
19, 2001; or
(D) was a member of a fire or police department
(whether fire or emergency personnel, active or
retired), worked for a recovery or cleanup contractor,
or was a volunteer; and performed rescue, recovery,
demolition, debris cleanup, or other related services
at the Shanksville, Pennsylvania, site of the
terrorist-related aircraft crash of September 11, 2001,
during the period beginning on September 11, 2001, and
ending on October 3, 2001.
(2) Exception.--An alien shall not be provided any benefit
under this section if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the
Attorney General determines that the alien has willfully made a
material misrepresentation or material omission in the proffer
of information described in paragraph (1).
(c) Work Authorization.--An alien who has applied for adjustment of
status under subsection (a) shall be provided authorization to engage
in employment in the United States during the pendency of such
application.
(d) Fee Waiver Based on an Inability To Pay.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Homeland Security shall
waive fees with respect to the filing of an application under
this section for an alien who demonstrates to the satisfaction
of the Secretary that such alien--
(A) is the recipient of a means-tested benefit
where the Federal, State, or local agency administering
such public benefit considers the income and resources
of the individual in granting such benefit;
(B) has an income is no greater than 250 percent of
the Federal poverty guidelines; or
(C) faces extraordinary financial hardship that
prevents them from paying the filing fee.
(2) Corrective filing.--If the Secretary finds that an
applicant is ineligible for a fee waiver under this subsection,
the Secretary shall notify applicants of the basis for such
ineligibility, and allow applicants 90 days from the date on
which the Secretary provides such notice to submit additional
evidence of eligibility. Such applicant shall retain the
original filing date of the application or petition associated
with the fee waiver.
(3) Federal poverty guidelines.--The term ``Federal poverty
guidelines'' has the meaning given such term by the Director of
the Office of Management and Budget, as revised annually by the
18 Secretary of Health and Human Services in accordance with
section 673(2) of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1981
(42 U.S.C. 9902(2)).
(4) Public charge.--
(A) Finding of public charge.--Receipt of an
application for a fee waiver under this section shall
not be considered in a public charge determination
pursuant to section 212(a)(4) or section 237(a)(5).
(B) Sponsors.--Receipt of or application for a fee
waiver by the sponsor of an immigration petition shall
not be considered as a factor in consideration of an
affidavit of support filed by the sponsor.
(e) Construction.--Nothing in this section may be construed--
(1) to limit the existing authority of the Secretary of
Homeland Security or the Attorney General on the date of the
enactment of this Act to require any form or other submission
of information or to perform any background or security check
for the purpose of determining the admissibility, or
eligibility under this section, of any alien; or
(2) to authorize the Secretary or the Attorney General to
consider any condition of eligibility not set forth in this
Act.
(f) Waiver of Regulations.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish in the
Federal Register interim final rules implementing this Act,
which shall allow eligible individuals to immediately apply for
relief under this Act. Notwithstanding section 553 of title 5,
United States Code, the regulation shall be effective, on an
interim basis, immediately upon publication, but may be subject
to change and revision after public notice and opportunity for
a period of public comment. The Secretary shall finalize such
rules not later than 180 days after the date of publication.
(2) Paperwork reduction act.--The requirements under
chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code (commonly known as
the ``Paperwork Reduction Act'') shall not apply to any action
to implement this Act.
(g) Confidentiality of Information.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may not disclose or use
information (including information provided during
administrative or judicial review) provided in applications
filed under this Act for the purpose of immigration
enforcement.
(2) Referrals prohibited.--The Secretary, based solely on
information provided in an application under this Act
(including information provided during administrative or
judicial review) may not refer an applicant to U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or
any designee of either such entity.
(3) Limited exception.--Notwithstanding subsections (a) and
(b), information provided in an application under this Act may
be shared with Federal security and law enforcement agencies--
(A) for assistance in the consideration of an
application for adjustment of status under this Act;
(B) to identify or prevent fraudulent claims;
(C) for national security purposes; or
(D) for the investigation or prosecution of any
felony offense not related to immigration status.
(4) Penalty.--Any person who knowingly uses, publishes, or
permits information to be examined in violation of this section
shall be fined not more than $10,000.
(h) No Offset in Number of Visas Available.--When an alien is
granted the status of having been lawfully admitted for permanent
residence under this section, the Secretary of State shall not be
required to reduce the number of immigrant visas authorized to be
issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101 et
seq.).
(i) Definitions.--Except as otherwise specifically provided in this
section, the definitions used in the Immigration and Nationality Act (8
U.S.C. 1101 et seq.) (excluding the definitions applicable exclusively
to title III of such Act) shall apply in the administration of this
section.
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