Special Relief Bill Grants Permanent Residency to One Person, Waives Existing Deportation Orders

If you’ve ever had to deal with bureaucracy, you know how rigid the rules can be. But sometimes, Congress decides to write a rule for just one person. That’s exactly what this legislation does: it’s a private bill focused entirely on granting lawful permanent resident status to Luisa Mariana Sifuentes Arbirio.

The VIP Pass to Permanent Residency

This bill essentially creates a specific, personalized pathway for Ms. Sifuentes Arbirio to get her green card. Normally, people have to meet strict criteria under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), but this legislation lets her apply for an immigrant visa or adjust her status even if she wouldn't qualify under the standard rules (Section 201 of the INA). If she manages to enter the U.S. before the bill’s deadline, she’ll be treated as if she entered lawfully on the day this law is enacted, making her eligible to adjust her status immediately under INA Section 245.

Clearing the Slate

Perhaps the biggest benefit here is the administrative cleanup. The bill mandates that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must cancel any existing removal or deportation orders against her. Furthermore, any findings that made her inadmissible or deportable—provided those grounds were already recorded by DHS or the State Department on the date this law passes—are essentially wiped away. Think of it like getting a full pardon for past immigration issues that were preventing her from moving forward. This provision means she cannot be denied entry or permanent residency based on those past, recorded issues.

The Fine Print and the Trade-Off

While this is a huge win for Ms. Sifuentes Arbirio, there are a couple of important details to note. First, she has a strict two-year deadline from the date the law is enacted to file her application and pay all the required fees. Miss that deadline, and the whole thing expires. Second, once she gets her permanent residency, the Secretary of State has to reduce the total number of immigrant visas available to natives of her birth country by one in the current or next fiscal year. This is a small administrative cost, but it technically means one less visa for someone else from her home country down the line.

No Family Benefits

Finally, this special treatment is strictly personal. The bill explicitly states that her natural parents, brothers, and sisters won't get any special rights, privileges, or status under immigration law just because they are related to her. If they want to immigrate, they still have to go through the standard, often lengthy, process. This bill is a targeted solution for one specific person, and the benefits stop right there.