§ 1259. Record of admission for permanent resi-
dence in the case of certain aliens who en-
tered the United States prior to January 1,
1972
A record of lawful admission for permanent
residence may, in the discretion of the Attorney
General and under such regulations as he may
prescribe, be made in the case of any alien, as of
the date of the approval of his application or, if
entry occurred prior to July 1, 1924, as of the
date of such entry, if no such record is otherwise
available and such alien shall satisfy the Attor-
ney General that he is not inadmissible under
section 1182(a)(3)(E) of this title or under section
1182(a) of this title insofar as it relates to crimi-
nals, procurers and other immoral persons, sub-
versives, violators of the narcotic laws or smug-
glers of aliens, and he establishes that he—
(a) entered the United States prior to Janu-
ary 1, 1972;
(b) has had his residence in the United
States continuously since such entry;
(c) is a person of good moral character; and
(d) is not ineligible to citizenship and is not
deportable under section 1227(a)(4)(B) of this
title.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 5, § 249, 66 Stat.
219; Pub. L. 85–616, Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 546; Pub.
L. 89–236, § 19, Oct. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 920; Pub. L.
99–603, title II, § 203(a), Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 3405;
Pub. L. 100–525, § 2(j), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2612;
Pub. L. 101–649, title VI, § 603(a)(14), Nov. 29, 1990,
104 Stat. 5083; Pub. L. 104–132, title IV, § 413(e),
Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1269; Pub. L. 104–208, div.
C, title III, § 308(g)(10)(C), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat.
3009–625.)
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
1996—Par. (d). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted ‘‘section
1227(a)(4)(B)’’ for ‘‘section 1251(a)(4)(B)’’.
Pub. L. 104–132 inserted
File SHA-256: ce0b311cfb94ebc33119f049650598669b4fc39e55818d6bb29093ff8b1da903. The original may include catalog metadata, neighboring provisions, or embedded records outside this collection's scope. This page displays the selected federal record. Historical editions and unverified snapshots are not a statement of current law.
Authority boundary: historical or unconfirmed source not current law verified.
Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:uscode2024_a657f4fb608c878732d945bc Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code-2024/title-8/section-1259-record-of-admission-for-permanent-resi--fa1460f9d2.md Pages: Not recorded – Not recorded Passage SHA-256: 4ac0fc7b24b59718a66a982013a3af3c513a316290b137fa4ee6443d707ba4fe Retained source evidence SHA-256: ce0b311cfb94ebc33119f049650598669b4fc39e55818d6bb29093ff8b1da903
Page 381
TITLE 8—ALIENS AND NATIONALITY
§ 1260
ABOLITION OF IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION
SERVICE AND TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization
Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related
references, see note set out under section 1551 of this
title.
§ 1259. Record of admission for permanent resi-
dence in the case of certain aliens who en-
tered the United States prior to January 1,
1972
A record of lawful admission for permanent
residence may, in the discretion of the Attorney
General and under such regulations as he may
prescribe, be made in the case of any alien, as of
the date of the approval of his application or, if
entry occurred prior to July 1, 1924, as of the
date of such entry, if no such record is otherwise
available and such alien shall satisfy the Attor-
ney General that he is not inadmissible under
section 1182(a)(3)(E) of this title or under section
1182(a) of this title insofar as it relates to crimi-
nals, procurers and other immoral persons, sub-
versives, violators of the narcotic laws or smug-
glers of aliens, and he establishes that he—
(a) entered the United States prior to Janu-
ary 1, 1972;
(b) has had his residence in the United
States continuously since such entry;
(c) is a person of good moral character; and
(d) is not ineligible to citizenship and is not
deportable under section 1227(a)(4)(B) of this
title.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 5, § 249, 66 Stat.
219; Pub. L. 85–616, Aug. 8, 1958, 72 Stat. 546; Pub.
L. 89–236, § 19, Oct. 3, 1965, 79 Stat. 920; Pub. L.
99–603, title II, § 203(a), Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat. 3405;
Pub. L. 100–525, § 2(j), Oct. 24, 1988, 102 Stat. 2612;
Pub. L. 101–649, title VI, § 603(a)(14), Nov. 29, 1990,
104 Stat. 5083; Pub. L. 104–132, title IV, § 413(e),
Apr. 24, 1996, 110 Stat. 1269; Pub. L. 104–208, div.
C, title III, § 308(g)(10)(C), Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat.
3009–625.)
Editorial Notes
AMENDMENTS
1996—Par. (d). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted ‘‘section
1227(a)(4)(B)’’ for ‘‘section 1251(a)(4)(B)’’.
Pub. L. 104–132 inserted ‘‘and is not deportable under
section 1251(a)(4)(B) of this title’’ after ‘‘ineligible to
citizenship’’.
1990—Pub. L. 101–649 substituted ‘‘1182(a)(3)(E)’’ for
‘‘1182(a)(33)’’.
1988—Pub. L. 100–525 amended Pub. L. 99–603. See 1986
Amendment note below.
1986—Pub. L. 99–603, as amended by Pub. L. 100–525,
inserted ‘‘under section 1182(a)(33) of this title or’’ in
introductory provisions and substituted ‘‘January 1,
1972’’ for ‘‘June 30, 1948’’ in section heading and in par.
(a).
1965—Pub. L. 89–236 substituted ‘‘June 30, 1948’’ for
‘‘June 28, 1940’’.
1958—Pub. L. 85–616 permitted record of lawful admis-
sion to be made in the case of aliens who entered the
United States prior to June 28, 1940, authorized the
record to be made as of the date of the approval of the
application for those who entered subsequent to July 1,
1924, and prior to June 28, 1940, and substituted provi-
sions requiring the alien to satisfy the Attorney Gen-
eral that he is not inadmissible under section 1182(a) of
this title insofar as it relates to criminals, procurers
and other immoral persons, subversives, violators of
the narcotic laws or smugglers of aliens for provisions
which required the alien to satisfy the Attorney Gen-
eral that he was not subject to deportation.
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENTS
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain
transitional provisions, on the first day of the first
month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30,
1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note
under section 1101 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–132 effective Apr. 24, 1996,
and applicable to applications filed before, on, or after
such date if final action not yet taken on them before
such date, see section 413(g) of Pub. L. 104–132, set out
as a note under section 1253 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 101–649 applicable to individ-
uals entering United States on or after June 1, 1991, see
section 601(e)(1) of Pub. L. 101–649, set out as a note
under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 100–525 effective as if included
in enactment of Immigration Reform and Control Act
of 1986, Pub. L. 99–603, see section 2(s) of Pub. L. 100–525,
set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1965 AMENDMENT
For effective date of amendment by Pub. L. 89–236,
see section 20 of Pub. L. 89–236, set out as a note under
section 1151 of this title.
ABOLITION OF IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION
SERVICE AND TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS
For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization
Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related
references, see note set out under section 1551 of this
title.
APPLICABILITY OF NUMERICAL LIMITATIONS
Pub. L. 99–603, title II, § 203(c), Nov. 6, 1986, 100 Stat.
3405, provided that: ‘‘The numerical limitations of sec-
tions 201 and 202 of the Immigration and Nationality
Act [8 U.S.C. 1151, 1152] shall not apply to aliens pro-
vided lawful permanent resident status under section
249 of that Act [8 U.S.C. 1259].’’
§ 1260. Removal of aliens falling into distress
The Attorney General may remove from the
United States any alien who falls into distress
or who needs public aid from causes arising sub-
sequent to his entry, and is desirous of being so
removed, to the native country of such alien, or
to the country from which he came, or to the
country of which he is a citizen or subject, or to
any other country to which he wishes to go and
which will receive him, at the expense of the ap-
propriation for the enforcement of this chapter.
Any alien so removed shall be ineligible to apply
for or receive a visa or other documentation for
readmission, or to apply for admission to the
United States except with the prior approval of
the Attorney General.
(June 27, 1952, ch. 477, title II, ch. 5, § 250, 66 Stat.
219.)
Editorial Notes
REFERENCES IN TEXT
This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original,
‘‘this Act’’, meaning act June 27, 1952, ch. 477, 66 Stat.
Cross-references
Connections may be documented source relationships, shared citations or nearby passages. Each explains its basis; a connection alone does not establish applicability to your situation.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
**(a) In general** Exclusive of aliens described in subsection (b), aliens born in a foreign state or dependent area who may be issued immigrant visas or who may otherwise acquire the status of an alien lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence are limited to—
(1) family-sponsored immigrants described in [section 1153(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1153/a&num=0&edition=prelim) (or who are admitted under [section 1181(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1181/a&num=0&edition=prelim) on the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying parent under [section 1153(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1153/a&num=0&edition=prelim)) in a number not to exceed in any fiscal year the number specified in subsection (c) for that year, and not to exceed in any of the first 3 quarters of any fiscal year 27 percent of the worldwide level under such subsection for all of such fiscal year;
(2) employment-based immigrants described in [section 1153(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1153/b&num=0&edition=prelim) (or who are admitted under [section 1181(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1181/a&num=0&edition=prelim) on the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying parent under [section 1153(b) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1153/b&num=0&edition=prelim)), in a number not to exceed in any fiscal year the number specified in subsection (d) for that year, and not to exceed in any of the first 3 quarte
Stored review status: release_metadata_unconfirmed. The source passage cites 8 U.S.C. § 1151. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
§ 1151. Worldwide level of immigration
(a) In general
Exclusive of aliens described in subsection (b),
aliens born in a foreign state or dependent area
who may be issued immigrant visas or who may
otherwise acquire the status of an alien lawfully
admitted to the United States for permanent
residence are limited to—
(1) family-sponsored immigrants described in
section 1153(a) of this title (or who are admit-
ted under section 1181(a) of this title on the
basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their ac-
companying parent under section 1153(a) of
this title) in a number not to exceed in any
fiscal year the number specified in subsection
(c) for that year, and not to exceed in any of
the first 3 quarters of any fiscal year 27 per-
cent of the worldwide level under such sub-
section for all of such fiscal year;
(2) employment-based immigrants described
in section 1153(b) of this title (or who are ad-
mitted under section 1181(a) of this title on
the basis of a prior issuance of a visa to their
accompanying parent under section 1153(b) of
this title), in a number not to exceed in any
fiscal year the number specified in subsection
(d) for that year, and not to exceed in any of
the first 3 quarters of any fiscal year 27 per-
cent of the worldwide level under such sub-
section for all of such fiscal year; and
(3) for fiscal years beginning with fiscal year
1995, diversity immigrants described in section
1153(c) of this title (or who are admitted under
section 1181(a) of this title on the basis of a
prior issuance of a visa to their accompanying
parent under section 1153(c) of this title) in a
number not to exceed in any fiscal year the
number specified in subsection (e) for that
year, and not to exceed in any of the first 3
quarters of any fiscal
Stored review status: historical_2024_not_currentness_verified. The source passage cites 8 U.S.C. § 1151. This identifies an authority to review, not proof of applicability.
Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities
A record of lawful admission for permanent residence may, in the discretion of the Attorney General and under such regulations as he may prescribe, be made in the case of any alien, as of the date of the approval of his application or, if entry occurred prior to July 1, 1924, as of the date of such entry, if no such record is otherwise available and such alien shall satisfy the Attorney General that he is not inadmissible under [section 1182(a)(3)(E) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1182/a/3/E&num=0&edition=prelim) or under [section 1182(a) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1182/a&num=0&edition=prelim) insofar as it relates to criminals, procurers and other immoral persons, subversives, violators of the narcotic laws or smugglers of aliens, and he establishes that he—
**(a)** entered the United States prior to January 1, 1972;
**(b)** has had his residence in the United States continuously since such entry;
**(c)** is a person of good moral character; and
**(d)** is not ineligible to citizenship and is not deportable under [section 1227(a)(4)(B) of this title](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title8-section1227/a/4/B&num=0&edition=prelim).