9/11 Immigrant Worker Freedom Act

Path to Legal Status: Individuals who worked or volunteered in rescue, recovery, or cleanup services at specific sites—such as lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, or Shanksville—can adjust their status to become lawful permanent residents (Section 2(a) and 2(b)).

Immediate Employment Rights: People who have applied for a status adjustment are granted authorization to work in the United States while their application is being processed (Section 2(c)).

Financial Relief: The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to waive application fees for individuals who demonstrate financial need, such as being recipients of means-tested benefits, having low income, or facing extraordinary hardship (Section 2(d)).

Protection from Public Charge Issues: Applying for a fee waiver will not be used to negatively impact a person's standing in a "public charge" determination (Section 2(d)).

Information Security: The law prohibits the Secretary from using information provided in these applications for immigration enforcement or referring applicants to immigration enforcement agencies (Section 2(g)).

Risk of Denial Due to Errors: An individual can be denied these benefits if the Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General determines they willfully made a material misrepresentation or omission in their information (Section 2(b)).

Strict Application Deadlines: To receive the status adjustment, individuals must apply no later than 18 months after the date of the Act's enactment (Section 2(a)).

Limited Information Privacy: While there are protections, information provided in applications can still be shared with Federal security and law enforcement agencies for purposes such as national security or investigating felony offenses (Section 2(g)).