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Memo.
http://www.uscis.gov/files/pressrelease/PL107_150Pub.pdf
Public law amended INA(Pub L 107-150)
http://www.uscis.gov/propub/ProPubVAP.jsp?dockey=2b289cf41dd6b70a61a078a9fbfbc379
SEC. 2. SUBSTITUTION OF ALTERNATIVE SPONSOR IF ORIGINAL SPONSOR HAS DIED.
(a) PERMITTING SUBSTITUTION OF ALTERNATIVE CLOSE FAMILY SPONSOR IN CASE OF DEATH OF PETITIONER-
(1) RECOGNITION OF ALTERNATIVE SPONSOR- Section 213A(f)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1183a(f)(5)) is amended to read as follows:
“(5) NON-PETITIONING CASES- Such term also includes an individual who does not meet the requirement of paragraph (1)(D) but who--
“(A) accepts joint and several liability with a petitioning sponsor under paragraph (2) or relative of an employment-based immigrant under paragraph (4) and who demonstrates (as provided under paragraph (6)) the means to maintain an annual income equal to at least 125 percent of the Federal poverty line; or
“(B) is a spouse, parent, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sibling, child (if at least 18 years of age), son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law,
sister-in-law, brother-in-law, grandparent, or grandchild
of a sponsored alien or a legal guardian of a sponsored alien, meets the requirements of paragraph (1) (other than subparagraph (D)), and executes an affidavit of support with respect to such alien in a case in which--
“(i) the individual petitioning under section 204 for the classification of such alien died after the approval of such petition; and
“(ii) the Attorney General has determined for humanitarian reasons that revocation of such petition under section 205 would be inappropriate.”.
(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENT PERMITTING SUBSTITUTION- Section 212(a)(4)(C)(ii) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)(C)(ii)) is amended by striking “(including any additional sponsor required under section 213A(f))” and inserting “(and any additional sponsor required under section 213A(f) or any alternative sponsor permitted under paragraph (5)(B) of such section)”.
(3) ADDITIONAL CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Section 213A(f) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1183a(f)) is amended, in each of paragraphs (2) and (4)(B)(ii), by striking “(5).” and inserting “(5)(A).”.
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to deaths occurring before, on, or after the date of the enactment of this Act, except that, in the case of a death occurring before such date, such amendments shall apply only if--
(1) the sponsored alien--
(A) requests the Attorney General to reinstate the classification petition that was filed with respect to the alien by the deceased and approved under section 204 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1154) before such death; and
(B) demonstrates that he or she is able to satisfy the requirement of section 212(a)(4)(C)(ii) of such Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(4)(C)(ii)) by reason of such amendments; and
(2) the Attorney General reinstates such petition after making the determination described in section 213A(f)(5)(B)(ii) of such Act (as amended by subsection (a)(1) of this Act).
