President Signs Help HAITI Act of 2010 Into Law

On 12/09/10, President Obama signed into law the Help HAITI Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-293).

The law authorizes the Secretary of Homeland Security to adjust to permanent resident status an alien who: (1) was granted parole admission into the United States pursuant to the humanitarian parole policy for certain Haitian orphans announced on January 18, 2010, and suspended as to new applications on April 15, 2010; (2) is physically present in the United States; (3) is admissible as an immigrant; and (4) files an application for adjustment not later than three years after enactment of this Act. The number of such adjusted aliens is limited to 1,400.

The law also deems such an unmarried alien who is under the age of 18 to satisfy the requirements applicable to adopted children if: (1) the alien obtained adjustment of status; and (2) a U.S. citizen adopted the alien before, on, or after the date of the decision granting adjustment of status.

Finally, it also prohibits any derivative immigration benefits for the birth parent of an alien adjusted under this Act.

The bill was passed in the Senate by unanimous consent on 7/20/10, and passed by the House of Representatives by a voice vote on 12/01/10.