119-s-1965119th Congress

Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act

Sponsored By: Senator Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

Introduced

Summary

Removes employment-based visa caps for Special Immigrant Juveniles. The Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act would add subparagraph (J) to two sections of the Immigration and Nationality Act so abused, abandoned, or neglected children classified as Special Immigrant Juveniles would not count toward employment-based numerical limits. That change applies to both the direct numerical limitation exemption and the employment-based preference allocation, clearing a statutory barrier that can block these youth from employment-based green cards.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Remove visa caps for SIJ youth

This bill would remove certain employment-based immigrant visa caps for Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs). SIJs are children found to be abused, abandoned, or neglected and given SIJ classification. If enacted, SIJs would no longer be subject to the cited employment-based numerical limits. The change would take effect upon enactment. Households of SIJs and their parent or guardian could see faster or expanded access to immigrant visas.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]

NV • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]

    CA • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]

    HI • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]

    VT • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]

    IL • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]

    WA • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]

    MA • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 6/5/2025

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 6/17/2025

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 7/24/2025

  • Sen. Gallego, Ruben [D-AZ]

    AZ • D

    Sponsored 12/9/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation