In general
Conditional basis for status
An alien investor, alien spouse, and alien child shall be considered, at the time of obtaining status as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, to have obtained such status on a conditional basis subject to the provisions of this section.
Notice of requirements
At time of obtaining permanent residence
At the time an alien investor, alien spouse, or alien child obtains permanent resident status on a conditional basis under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide for notice to such an investor, spouse, or child respecting the provisions of this section and the requirements of subsection (c)(1) to have the conditional basis of such status removed.
At time of required petition
In addition, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall attempt to provide notice to such an investor, spouse, or child, at or about the beginning of the 90-day period described in subsection (d)(2)(A), of the requirements of subsection (c)(1).
Effect of failure to provide notice
The failure of the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide a notice under this paragraph shall not affect the enforcement of the provisions of this section with respect to such an investor, spouse, or child.
Termination of status if finding that qualifying investment improper
In general
Hearing in removal proceeding
Any alien whose permanent resident status is terminated under paragraph (1) may request a review of such determination in a proceeding to remove the alien. In such proceeding, the burden of proof shall be on the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that a condition described in paragraph (1) is met.
Requirements for removal of condition
In general
Termination of permanent resident status for failure to file petition or have personal interview
In general
Hearing in removal proceeding
In any removal proceeding with respect to an alien whose permanent resident status is terminated under subparagraph (A), the burden of proof shall be on the alien to establish compliance with the conditions of paragraphs (1)(A) and (1)(B).
Determination after petition and interview
In general
Removal or extension of conditional basis
In general
Exception
Termination if adverse determination
If the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that such facts and information are not true, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall so notify the alien involved and, subject to subparagraph (D), shall terminate the permanent resident status of an alien investor, alien spouse, or alien child as of the date of the determination.
Hearing in removal proceeding
Any alien whose permanent resident status is terminated under subparagraph (C) may request a review of such determination in a proceeding to remove the alien. In such proceeding, the burden of proof shall be on the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the facts and information described in subsection (d)(1) and alleged in the petition are not true with respect to the qualifying commercial enterprise.
Details of petition and interview
Contents of petition
Period for filing petition
Ninety-day period before second anniversary
In general
Except as provided in clause (ii) and subparagraph (B), a petition under subsection (c)(1)(A) shall be filed during the 90-day period immediately preceding the second anniversary of the alien investor’s lawful admission for permanent residence.
Exception
section 1153(b)(5)(M)(ii) of this titleAliens described in subclauses (I)(bb) and (II) of shall file a petition under subsection (c)(1)(A) during the 90-day period before the second anniversary of the subsequent investment.
Date petitions for good cause
Such a petition may be considered if filed after such date, but only if the alien establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Homeland Security good cause and extenuating circumstances for failure to file the petition during the period described in subparagraph (A).
Filing of petitions during removal
In the case of an alien who is the subject of removal hearings as a result of failure to file a petition on a timely basis in accordance with subparagraph (A), the Attorney General may stay such removal proceedings against an alien pending the filing of the petition under subparagraph (B).
Personal interview
In general
The interview under subsection (c)(1)(B) shall be conducted within 90 days after the date of submitting a petition under subsection (c)(1)(A) and at a local office of the Department of Homeland Security, designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security, which is convenient to the parties involved.
Waiver
Treatment of period for purposes of naturalization
For purposes of subchapter III, in the case of an alien who is in the United States as a lawful permanent resident on a conditional basis under this section, the alien shall be considered to have been admitted as an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence and to be in the United States as an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence.
Definitions
June 27, 1952, ch. 477Pub. L. 101–649, title I, § 121(b)(1)104 Stat. 4990Pub. L. 102–232, title III, § 302(b)(3)105 Stat. 1743Pub. L. 104–208, div. C, title III, § 308(e)(8)110 Stat. 3009–620Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11036(b)116 Stat. 1847Pub. L. 117–103, div. BB, § 104(a)136 Stat. 1100(, title II, ch. 2, § 216A, as added , , ; amended , , ; , , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
Amendments
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(2)2022—, substituted “investor” for “entrepreneur” wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(1), substituted “Secretary of Homeland Security” for “Attorney General” wherever appearing, except in subsec. (d)(2)(C).
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(3)Subsec. (a)(1). , amended par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, an alien investor (as defined in subsection (f)(1)), alien spouse, and alien child (as defined in subsection (f)(2)) shall be considered, at the time of obtaining the status of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, to have obtained such status on a conditional basis subject to the provisions of this section.”
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(4)(A)Subsec. (b). , substituted “investment” for “entrepreneurship” in heading.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(4)(B)Subsec. (b)(1)(B). , amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows:
“(B)(i) the alien did not invest, or was not actively in the process of investing, the requisite capital; or
“(ii) the alien was not sustaining the actions described in clause (i) throughout the period of the alien’s residence in the United States; or”.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(A)Subsec. (c). , struck out “of timely petition and interview” after “Requirements” in heading.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(B)(i)Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “Except as provided in paragraph (3)(D), in order” for “In order” in introductory provisions.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(B)(ii)Subsec. (c)(1)(A). , substituted “shall submit” for “must submit” and semicolon at end for “, and”.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(B)(iii)Subsec. (c)(1)(B). , substituted “shall appear” for “must appear”, “Department of Homeland Security” for “Service”, and “; and” for period at end.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(B)(iv)Subsec. (c)(1)(C). , added subpar. (C).
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(C)(i)Subsec. (c)(3)(A). , struck out “the” before “such filing” in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(5)(C)(ii)Subsec. (c)(3)(B). , amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “If the Secretary of Homeland Security determines that such facts and information are true, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall so notify the alien involved and shall remove the conditional basis of the alien’s status effective as of the second anniversary of the alien’s lawful admission for permanent residence.”
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(6)(A)(i)Subsec. (d)(1)(A). , amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows:
“(A)(i) invested, or is actively in the process of investing, the requisite capital; and
“(ii) sustained the actions described in clause (i) throughout the period of the alien’s residence in the United States; and”.
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(6)(A)(ii)Subsec. (d)(1)(B), (C). , (iii), added subpar. (B) and redesignated former subpar. (B) as (C).
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(6)(B)Subsec. (d)(2)(A). , amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the petition under subsection (c)(1)(A) must be filed during the 90-day period before the second anniversary of the alien’s lawful admission for permanent residence.”
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(6)(C)Subsec. (d)(3). , designated existing provisions as subpar. (A), inserted heading, substituted “Department of Homeland Security” for “Service”, struck out “The Secretary of Homeland Security, in the Secretary of Homeland Security’s discretion, may waive the deadline for such an interview or the requirement for such an interview in such cases as may be appropriate.” after “parties involved.”, and added subpar. (B).
Pub. L. 117–103, § 104(a)(7)Subsec. (f)(3). , substituted “any entity formed for the purpose of doing for-profit business” for “a limited partnership”.
Pub. L. 107–273, § 11036(b)(1)(A)2002—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). , substituted “investment in” for “establishment of”.
Pub. L. 107–273, § 11036(b)(1)(B)Subsec. (b)(1)(B). , amended subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as follows:
“(B)(i) a commercial enterprise was not established by the alien,
“(ii) the alien did not invest or was not actively in the process of investing the requisite capital; or
“(iii) the alien was not sustaining the actions described in clause (i) or (ii) throughout the period of the alien’s residence in the United States, or”.
Pub. L. 107–273, § 11036(b)(2)Subsec. (d)(1). , reenacted heading without change and amended text generally. Prior to amendment, text read as follows: “Each petition under subsection (c)(1)(A) of this section shall contain facts and information demonstrating that—
“(A) a commercial enterprise was established by the alien;
“(B) the alien invested or was actively in the process of investing the requisite capital; and
“(C) the alien sustained the actions described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) throughout the period of the alien’s residence in the United States.”
Pub. L. 107–273, § 11036(b)(3)Subsec. (f)(3). , added par. (3).
Pub. L. 104–2081996—Subsec. (b)(2). substituted “removal” for “deportation” in heading and “remove” for “deport” in text.
Pub. L. 104–208Subsec. (c)(2)(B). substituted “removal” for “deportation” in heading and text.
Pub. L. 104–208Subsec. (c)(3)(D). substituted “removal” for “deportation” in heading and “remove” for “deport” in text.
Pub. L. 104–208Subsec. (d)(2)(C). substituted “removal” for “deportation” wherever appearing in heading and text.
Pub. L. 102–232, § 302(b)(3)(A)1991—Subsec. (c)(2)(A). , in closing provisions inserted parenthetical provision relating to alien’s spouse and children.
Pub. L. 102–232, § 302(b)(3)(B)Subsecs. (c)(3)(B), (d)(2)(A). , struck out “obtaining the status of” before “lawful admission”.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2022 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–103, div. BB, § 104(b)136 Stat. 1102
In general .—
Exceptions.—
Site visits .—
Petition beneficiaries .—
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Pub. L. 107–273section 1154 of this titlesection 11036(c) of Pub. L. 107–273section 1153 of this titleAmendment by effective and applicable to aliens having certain petitions pending under this section or on or after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1996 Amendment
Pub. L. 104–208section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208section 1101 of this titleAmendment by effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180 days after , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date of 1991 Amendment
Pub. L. 102–232Pub. L. 101–649section 310(1) of Pub. L. 102–232section 1101 of this titleAmendment by effective as if included in the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1990, , see , set out as a note under .
Effective Date
section 161(a) of Pub. L. 101–649section 1101 of this titleSection effective , and applicable beginning with fiscal year 1992, see , set out as an Effective Date of 1990 Amendment note under .
Abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service and Transfer of Functions
section 1551 of this titleFor abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under .
Immigration Benefits
Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I116 Stat. 1837–1846
REMOVAL OF CONDITIONAL BASIS OF PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN ENTREPRENEURS, SPOUSES, AND CHILDREN.
In General .—
Eligible Aliens Described.—
In general .—
Reopening petitions previously denied.—
In general .—
Petitioners abroad .—
Deportation or removal proceedings .—
Determinations on Petitions.—
Initial determination.—
In general .—
Investment under pilot immigration program .—
Exception for troubled businesses .—
Dates .—
Removal of conditional basis if favorable determination .—
Requirements relating to adverse determinations.—
Notice .—
Continuation of conditional basis if certain adverse determinations .—
Termination if adverse determination .—
Administrative and judicial review .—
Second determination.—
Authorization to consider investments in other commercial enterprises .—
Petition .—
Period for filing petition.—
day period before second anniversary 90-.—
Date petitions for good cause .—
Termination of permanent resident status for failure to file petition.—
In general .—
Hearing in removal proceeding .—
Determinations after petition .—
Removal of conditional basis if favorable determination .—
Requirements relating to adverse determinations.—
Notice .—
Termination if adverse determination .—
Hearing in Removal Proceeding .—
Clarification With Respect to Children .—
Definition of Full-Time .—
CONDITIONAL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FOR CERTAIN ALIEN ENTREPRENEURS, SPOUSES, AND CHILDREN.
In General .—
Eligible Aliens Described .—
Treatment of Certain Applications.—
Revocation of approval of petitions .—
Applications no longer pending.—
In general .—
Applicants abroad .—
Recordation of Date; Reduction of Numbers .—
Removal of Conditional Basis.—
Petition .—
Determination .—
Dates .—
Clarification With Respect to Children .—
REGULATIONS.
Pub. L. 107–2738 U.S.C. 1186b(c)(1)(A)8 U.S.C. 12558 U.S.C. 1229a“The Immigration and Naturalization Service shall promulgate regulations to implement this chapter [chapter 1 (§§ 11031–11034) of subtitle B of title I of div. C of , enacting this note] not later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act []. Until such regulations are promulgated, the Attorney General shall not deny a petition filed or pending under section 216A(c)(1)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act () that relates to an eligible alien described in section 11031, or on an application filed or pending under section 245 of such Act () that relates to an eligible alien described in section 11032. Until such regulations are promulgated, the Attorney General shall not initiate or proceed with removal proceedings under section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act () that relate to an eligible alien described in section 11031 or 11032.
DEFINITIONS.
8 U.S.C. 1101(b)“Except as otherwise provided, the terms used in this chapter shall have the meaning given such terms in section 101(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ().”