To establish a pathway to lawful permanent residence and United States citizenship for certain individuals granted Temporary Protected Status, to strengthen the nation's economy and workforce, preserve family unity, enhance national security through rigorous screening, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

A BILL
To establish a pathway to lawful permanent residence and United States citizenship for eligible individuals granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), while strengthening border security, protecting the integrity of the immigration system, and recognizing the long-term contributions of TPS holders to the United States.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "Temporary Protected Status Adjustment and Citizenship Act of 2027."

SECTION 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
1. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) was established by Congress through the Immigration Act of 1990 to provide temporary humanitarian protection to nationals of countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, epidemics, or other extraordinary conditions.
2. Many individuals granted Temporary Protected Status have legally resided in the United States for decades while renewing their status through successive federal designations.
3. TPS holders have become integral members of American communities by raising families, purchasing homes, operating businesses, serving as essential workers, paying federal, state, and local taxes, and contributing to the nation's economy.
4. Many TPS recipients have children who are United States citizens and have established deep family, educational, cultural, and economic ties within the United States.
5. Congress recognizes that a temporary immigration status lasting decades no longer reflects the original intent of the Temporary Protected Status program.
6. Providing a rigorous, earned pathway to lawful permanent residence promotes economic stability, strengthens families, reduces administrative burdens on the Department of Homeland Security, and enhances national security by encouraging eligible individuals to fully participate in a transparent legal immigration process.
7. Any pathway established under this Act shall include thorough background investigations, national security screening, and compliance with all applicable federal laws.

SECTION 3. PURPOSE.
The purposes of this Act are—
1. to provide a fair and earned pathway to lawful permanent resident status for long-term TPS holders;
2. to strengthen family unity and reduce uncertainty for families who have lived lawfully in the United States for many years;
3. to recognize the economic, military, educational, and civic contributions of eligible TPS recipients;
4. to preserve the integrity of the United States immigration system through rigorous eligibility standards and security screening;
5. to promote economic growth by allowing qualified workers to continue contributing to the American workforce; and
6. to establish a clear and efficient process through which eligible individuals may eventually become naturalized citizens of the United States under existing naturalization laws.
SECTION 4. DEFINITIONS.
For purposes of this Act:
1. Secretary means the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
2. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) means immigration status granted pursuant to section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. §1254a).
3. Eligible Applicant means an individual who satisfies all requirements established under this Act.
4. Lawful Permanent Resident means an individual lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
5. Continuous Physical Presence means physical presence in the United States, except for brief, casual, and innocent departures authorized by the Secretary.

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY FOR ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS.
An applicant shall be eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident status under this Act if the applicant—
1. was granted Temporary Protected Status on or before January 1, 2027;
2. has continuously maintained TPS, or any authorized period of renewal, except for brief administrative lapses beyond the applicant's control;
3. has been continuously physically present in the United States for not less than five years immediately preceding enactment of this Act;
4. has complied with all federal tax obligations or has entered into an approved payment agreement with the Internal Revenue Service;
5. submits to biometric collection, identity verification, and all required background investigations;
6. demonstrates good moral character as defined under the Immigration and Nationality Act;
7. registers for Selective Service if otherwise required by law; and
8. pays all required application fees unless granted a fee waiver based upon financial hardship.

SECTION 6. DISQUALIFYING FACTORS.
An applicant shall be ineligible if the applicant—
1. has been convicted of a felony offense;
2. has been convicted of two or more misdemeanors involving violence, domestic abuse, firearms offenses, drug trafficking, or crimes of moral turpitude;
3. has knowingly participated in terrorism, espionage, organized crime, gang-related criminal activity, human trafficking, or money laundering;
4. has committed immigration fraud or knowingly submitted false information during the application process;
5. is determined by the Secretary to pose a threat to national security or public safety; or
6. has been ordered removed because of criminal conduct that would otherwise make the applicant inadmissible under federal immigration law.
Minor traffic offenses and civil immigration violations alone shall not constitute grounds for denial.

SECTION 7. NATIONAL SECURITY SCREENING.
(a) Every applicant shall undergo—
1. fingerprinting;
2. biometric verification;
3. FBI criminal history screening;
4. Department of Homeland Security background investigations;
5. national security screening through appropriate federal agencies; and
6. verification of identity and prior immigration history.
(b) No application shall be approved until all required security screenings have been completed.
(c) The Secretary may deny any application upon credible evidence that approval would threaten the national security or public safety of the United States.

SECTION 8. ADJUSTMENT TO LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS.
(a) Upon approval of an application, the Secretary shall adjust the applicant's status to that of a lawful permanent resident.
(b) Individuals approved under this Act shall receive all rights and responsibilities afforded to lawful permanent residents under federal law.
(c) Time previously spent in lawful Temporary Protected Status shall count toward residency requirements applicable under this Act but shall not alter existing naturalization requirements unless otherwise provided by law.
(d) A lawful permanent resident under this Act shall remain subject to all grounds of removability applicable under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

SECTION 9. PATHWAY TO UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP.
(a) An individual granted lawful permanent resident status under this Act may apply for naturalization after satisfying all requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(b) Applicants shall demonstrate—
1. proficiency in the English language unless otherwise exempt under existing law;
2. knowledge of United States history and civics;
3. continued good moral character; and
4. allegiance to the Constitution of the United States through the Oath of Allegiance.
(c) Nothing in this Act shall waive any existing naturalization requirement unless expressly stated herein.

SECTION 10. FAMILY UNITY.
(a) It is the policy of the United States to preserve family unity whenever possible.
(b) The spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age of an individual granted lawful permanent resident status under this Act may apply for derivative adjustment of status if they are otherwise admissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(c) Nothing in this section shall limit an individual's eligibility to petition for additional qualifying family members under existing immigration law after obtaining lawful permanent resident status or United States citizenship.

SECTION 11. EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION.
(a) An applicant with a pending application under this Act shall remain eligible for employment authorization until a final determination is made.
(b) Employment authorization documents issued under this Act shall be valid for renewable periods established by the Secretary.
(c) Employers shall not discriminate against eligible applicants solely because they are applying under this Act.

SECTION 12. EDUCATION, WORKFORCE, AND MILITARY SERVICE.
Congress recognizes that many TPS recipients have made substantial contributions to the United States through employment, higher education, entrepreneurship, military service, and community service.
Nothing in this Act shall prohibit eligible applicants from—
1. serving in the Armed Forces of the United States if otherwise qualified;
2. enrolling in institutions of higher education;
3. obtaining professional or occupational licenses as permitted by federal or state law; or
4. establishing or operating lawful businesses within the United States.

SECTION 13. APPLICATION PROCEDURES.
(a) The Secretary shall establish a standardized application process not later than 180 days after enactment of this Act.
(b) Applications may be submitted electronically or by mail in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
(c) Applicants shall submit—
1. proof of identity;
2. evidence of eligibility under this Act;
3. biometric information;
4. documentation demonstrating continuous physical presence;
5. evidence of compliance with applicable tax laws; and
6. any additional documentation reasonably required by the Secretary.
(d) The Secretary shall issue a written decision approving or denying an application not later than 18 months after receipt of a completed application, except where additional investigation is necessary.

SECTION 14. FRAUD PREVENTION AND PENALTIES.
(a) Any person who knowingly submits false documents or materially false statements under this Act shall be subject to—
1. denial of the application;
2. permanent ineligibility under this Act;
3. civil penalties authorized by law; and
4. criminal prosecution where appropriate.
(b) The Secretary shall establish procedures to detect identity theft, document fraud, and other fraudulent activity.
(c) Nothing in this Act limits the authority of the Department of Justice to prosecute violations of federal criminal law.

SECTION 15. JUDICIAL REVIEW.
(a) An applicant whose application is denied shall receive a written explanation stating the basis for the denial.
(b) Applicants may seek administrative review within the Department of Homeland Security.
(c) Final agency actions shall remain subject to judicial review as provided by existing federal law.

SECTION 16. IMPLEMENTATION.
(a) The Secretary shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement this Act not later than 180 days after enactment.
(b) The Secretary may coordinate with the Department of Justice, the Department of State, the Department of Labor, and other appropriate federal agencies to carry out this Act efficiently.
(c) Congress authorizes such sums as may be necessary to implement this Act, modernize application processing systems, reduce case backlogs, and ensure timely adjudication of applications.

SECTION 17. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
Beginning one year after enactment, and annually thereafter for five years, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress detailing—
1. the number of applications received;
2. the number approved and denied;
3. average application processing times;
4. fraud investigations initiated and completed;
5. security-related denials; and
6. recommendations for improving the administration of this Act.

SECTION 18. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this Act shall be construed to—
1. diminish the authority of the United States to enforce its immigration laws;
2. create eligibility for individuals who do not meet the requirements established under this Act;
3. alter existing grounds of inadmissibility or removability except as specifically provided herein; or
4. limit Congress's authority to enact future immigration legislation.

SECTION 19. EFFECTIVE DATE.
This Act shall take effect immediately upon enactment.