U.S. Senator Alex Padilla renews push for green card bill targeting long-term residents

California Democratic Senator Alex Padilla has reintroduced the 'Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929' bill, aiming to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency for millions of long-term U.S. residents, including H-1B visa holders, Dreamers, TPS holders, and essential workers. The bill proposes amending Section 249 of the Immigration and Nationality Act to replace the fixed 1972 cutoff date with a rolling eligibility date, allowing those who have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least seven years to apply for green cards. Padilla criticized the Trump administration's immigration policies and noted that only 305 people adjusted status under the current provision between 2015 and 2019. The bill is co-led by Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and has 14 co-sponsors. It addresses severe backlogs in employment-based green cards, particularly affecting Indian H-1B professionals who face decades-long waits due to per-country caps.