Ukrainian Adjustment Act of 2026

Eligible Ukrainians physically present in the United States could apply to become lawful permanent residents. Eligibility would cover people who entered through specified admission or parole routes, including certain accompanying family members and caregivers; approved applicants would be exempt from immigration numerical limits, and their permanent-resident status would be recorded from their first inspection and admission or parole.

Applicants would need security and law-enforcement background checks and vetting equivalent to that used for refugees admitted through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program. The Secretary of Homeland Security would also have to find, based on specific and individualized facts, that granting status is not contrary to the country's national welfare, public safety, or national security.

Applicants and dependents included in a bona fide application who follow its requirements generally could not be removed, treated as unlawfully present, or treated as unauthorized workers while a final administrative decision is pending. Removal could still occur if the Secretary makes a preliminary finding that the applicant is or has become ineligible.

Fees for applications, employment authorization, and related cards or documents could not exceed the administrative cost of processing or issuing them. Eligible applicants would be allowed to seek a waiver of application fees.

A person whose marriage to a qualifying Ukrainian applicant ended could qualify through the family-member route for up to 2 years after the marriage ended if battering or extreme cruelty by the principal applicant was connected to the end of the marriage. The bill also directs the Secretary to apply specified protections when reviewing applications involving battered spouses and children.