# 119-s-5606: Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act

119-s-5606, Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR); status introduced (as of 2026-10-16).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5606
- As of: 2026-10-16
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-s-5606
- Congress: 119
- Title: Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-09-30
- Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Immigration
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-10-16

## Summary

**Creates a mandatory pathway to lawful permanent residence for Hong Kong residents granted Deferred Enforced Departure.** This bill would let qualifying DED recipients apply to adjust to lawful permanent resident status under defined residency, conduct, and filing deadlines. - Eligible Hong Kong DED recipients: Would be able to adjust if they were granted DED under the Aug 5, 2021 memorandum or later extensions, have continuously resided in the U.S. since Jan 15, 2025 with limited absences, meet criminal and extradition standards, and file within one year of enactment. - Family members: Spouses, children, and unmarried adult sons and daughters of eligible individuals may also adjust if they are not barred by specified inadmissibility or deportability grounds. - Process protections and numerical treatment: Applicants would be protected from detention or removal while the application is pending and would receive work authorization. Granting adjustment cancels prior removal orders and backdates LPR status to arrival, and the bill adds INA section 245B and treats it like 245A for visa numerical limits.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Permanent residency path for Hong Kongers: mixed, medium. If enacted, the bill would require USCIS to adjust the status of qualifying Hong Kong permanent residents to lawful permanent resident (green card) if they were granted Deferred Enforced Departure on August 5, 2021 or under extensions on January 26, 2023 or January 15, 2025. Applicants would have t…

## Related bills

- 119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act
- 119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026
- 119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act
- 119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act
- 119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act
- 119-s-5283: Momnibus Act

## Sources
- [119-s-5606 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/5606)

## Related
- [119-s-5238: For Our Republic Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5238)
- [119-s-5071: Children's Safe Welcome Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5071)
- [119-s-5022: Cannabis Administration and Opportunity Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5022)
- [119-s-2838: Protecting Our Democracy Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2838)
- [119-s-2819: Head Start for America's Children Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2819)
- [119-s-5283: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5283)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5606 (as of 2026-10-16).