The U.S. Supreme Court has the case that will determine the fate of the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) program. Many long-time undocumented U.S. residents await the outcome with serious concern that an adverse decision could mean immediate exposure to removal. 

My message to DACA beneficiaries and other longtime undocumented residents is that they could apply for registry under section 249(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a congressional form of relief, if Congress acts on the commonsense measure I propose: replace the “January 1, 1972” entry requirement with “June 15, 2007” (the DACA entry date I recommend inserting). 

Historically, section 249(a) has offered lawful permanent residence and a green card to successful applicants. But the section is losing relevance with the passage of time and needs updating. Ronald Reagan was the last president to update it, inserting the now-obsolete “January 1, 1972” date. 

My statutory fix could swiftly attract Republican and Democratic lawmakers’ support by avoiding entanglement with comprehensive immigration issues. It would enable DACA recipients and others to apply for lawful permanent residence, provided their entry into the United States occurred before June 15, 2007, and they have satisfied the additional requirements of section 249(a). 

Dreamers and the immigrant community should pressure Congress to quickly enact this realistic and achievable statutory solution.

Robert Kim Bingham Sr.

Retired ICE attorney

Salem