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Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act of 1991

Public Law 102-110 · S. 296 · 102nd Congress · began in the Senate

Signed by George H. W. Bush (R) on Oct 1, 1991 · Immigration

Sponsor: Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA)

Cosponsors (2): Sen. Alan Simpson,

Passage votes

  • HouseUnanimous consent
  • SenateVoice vote
Data notes

The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.

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Summary

The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.

Armed Forces Immigration Adjustment Act of 1991 - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to grant special immigrant status to an alien (and accompanying wife and children) who, after October 15, 1978, has served honorably, or is serving, on active duty in the U.S. armed forces for at least 12 years, and is so recommended by the executive department under which such alien served or is serving.

Limits the number of such annual admissions (not counting spouses and children) to: (1) 2,000 from treaty states (as defined by this Act); or (2) 100 from non-treaty states. Excludes from such numerical limitations those aliens meeting the requirements of this Act as of the date of enactment.

Permits such aliens to adjust their status to permanent resident status.

Delays until April 1, 1992, implementation of certain provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act regarding the nonimmigrant admission of alien artists, athletes, entertainers, or fashion models ("O" and "P" visas). Admits such aliens as "H" visas (specialty occupation) during the interim period.

Continues derivative status for alien spouses and children of preference aliens who are members of the professions holding advanced degrees, aliens of exceptional ability, or skilled workers.

Deems an immigrant application based upon professional status or exceptional ability (pre-October 1, 1991, third preference) or skilled or unskilled labor (pre-October 1, 1991, sixth preference) filed prior to such date and approved at any date as an approved application based upon post-October 1, 1991, categories of professional advanced degree status, exceptional ability, or skilled workers, professionals, or other workers.

Authorizes FY 1992 refugee resettlement appropriations.

Committees

The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.

  • Judiciary Committee · House · markup by, referred to, reported bySubcommittee: Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee
Data notes

A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.

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Timeline

From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 19 actions.

  1. Oct 1, 1991Became lawBecame law · Became Public Law No: 102-110.
  2. Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
  3. Sep 30, 1991PresidentPresident · Presented to President.
  4. Sep 26, 1991Resolving differencesResolving differences · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  5. Resolving differencesResolving differences · On motion that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment Agreed to without objection.
  6. Resolving differencesResolving differences · Mr. Brooks asked unanimous consent that the House agree to the Senate amendment to the House amendment.
  7. Sep 24, 1991Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate concurred in the House amendment with an amendment (SP 1192) by Voice Vote.
  8. FloorFloor · Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
  9. Sep 16, 1991FloorFloor · Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  10. FloorFloor · On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.
  11. FloorFloor · Mr. Mazzoli moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  12. Aug 2, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Reported by House Judiciary Committee
  13. Jun 18, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Markup by House Judiciary Committee
  14. May 15, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  15. CommitteeCommittee · Markup by Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  16. Apr 16, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee
  17. Jan 31, 1991CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Judiciary Committee
  18. Jan 30, 1991FloorFloor · Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.
  19. IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes

Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.

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Official record

The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.