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Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Jun 11, 2009
Orphans, Widows, and Widowers Protection Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to revise the definition of "immediate relative" to: (1) permit a widow or widower of a U.S. citizen to seek permanent resident status if married less than two years by showing through a preponderance of the evidence that the marriage was entered into in good faith and not solely to obtain an immigration benefit; and (2) include an alien who was the child or parent of a U.S. citizen at the time of the citizen's death if the alien parent files a petition within two years after such date or the alien child files a petition prior to reaching 21 years old.
Provides specified relief for orphans and spouses regarding: (1) petitions for immediate relative status; (2) parole eligibility; (3) permanent resident status adjustment; and (4) processing of immigrant visas.
People & committees
Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ] · D–NJ
Legislative record
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Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in Senate
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Source last updated: Aug 10, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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