Immigrant Workers and Others Could Gain a Green Card Pathway Under New U.S. Bill

Mati Lio
Sep 29
4 min read

Illegal immigrants in the US celebrate the proposed green card pathway for immigrant workers in the USA

Millions of immigrant workers in the United States may soon have a new opportunity for permanent residency under a proposed bill introduced by Senator Alex Padilla (Democrat-California). The legislation aims to modernize the decades-old “Registry” provision in U.S. immigration law, potentially transforming the lives of families and communities across the country.

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Modernizing an Outdated System

Currently, the Registry law allows only immigrants who entered the United States before January 1, 1972 to apply for a green card. This arbitrary cutoff excludes countless individuals who have lived and worked in the U.S. for decades.

The proposed bill would replace this fixed date with a rolling eligibility system. Under this framework, any immigrant who has resided continuously in the U.S. for at least seven years could apply for permanent residency.

Who Could Benefit

The legislation would cover a broad spectrum of individuals, including:

Migrant and immigrant workers in agriculture, healthcare, hospitality, and other essential labor industries.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, commonly known as Dreamers.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders seeking stability.

Children of long-term visa holders who have grown up in the U.S.

Humanitarian parolees, admitted under special circumstances.

Skilled workers, including H-1B visa holders stuck in multi-year green card backlogs.

Green card pathways for workers in healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, protected person, and children in the U.S.

Why Immigrant Workers Are Central

Many immigrant workers have spent years contributing to the U.S. economy without a clear legal pathway to permanent residency. Senator Padilla emphasized that the bill would support hardworking immigrants who contribute daily to the economy while helping prevent family separation.

Industry estimates suggest that millions of immigrant workers across sectors could benefit:

In agriculture, up to 75% of farmworkers in California are undocumented.

In construction, immigrants make up roughly a quarter of the workforce, with some regions reporting half of workers undocumented.

In healthcare and caregiving, 15.6% of nurses and nearly 28% of home health aides are foreign-born.

In STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields, immigrants constitute approximately 23% of the workforce, emphasizing the importance of retaining skilled talent.

Broader Immigration Reform Efforts

Senator Padilla’s proposal is part of a wider push for immigration reform:

The Dignity Act of 2025 in the House of Representatives aims to create legalization pathways and expand green card access.

The Secure and Responsible Immigration Act (SECURE Act), reintroduced in the Senate, focuses on protections for TPS and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) recipients.

While the fate of these bills remains uncertain, they reflect growing recognition that current immigration laws leave millions in legal limbo.

What Permanent Residency Could Mean for Undocumented Immigrants in the USA

Obtaining a green card offers immigrant workers far more than legal status:

Employment stability without fear of sudden deportation.

Access to education and career advancement.

Stronger workplace protections to reduce exploitation.

Family security, preventing long-term separation and providing lasting stability.

If passed, the legislation would represent one of the most significant expansions of green card eligibility in decades.

The Bottom Line

While the bill to update the Registry provision offers hope to millions of immigrants, it is still only a proposal. Its future depends on congressional debate and whether lawmakers can find common ground. Yet, for immigrant workers, families, and communities who have long contributed to the U.S. without permanent security, this legislation represents one of the most significant opportunities in decades to secure lawful residency and stability.

Immigrants should stay informed, prepared, and cautious of misinformation or false promises. For more context, you can also explore my related coverage: Proposed U.S. Law Could Give Millions of Immigrants a Path to Green Cards — which breaks down how the “rolling seven-year eligibility” system could reshape immigration pathways in the years ahead.

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Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Individuals seeking guidance on immigration matters should consult a licensed immigration attorney.