2026 -- H 8608

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LC006535

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND

IMMIGRATION SERVICES EXERCISE DISCRETION IN ADJUDICATING STATUS

APPLICATIONS CONSISTENT WITH HISTORICAL PRACTICE

     Introduced By: Representative David P. Morales

     Date Introduced: June 03, 2026

     Referred To: House Judiciary

     WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders possess the right not to be deprived of life, liberty, or

property without the due process of law, which inherently includes the freedom to establish a

family and enter into marriage regardless of a spouse’s national origin; and

     WHEREAS, Since the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, citizens

of the United States have been permitted to sponsor their immigrant spouse for lawful permanent

residence without being subjected to forced separation through mandatory consular processing

abroad; and

     WHEREAS, In enacting these laws, Congress established an inland immigration process

with the intent of promoting and preserving family unity; and

     WHEREAS, The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy

Manual explicitly acknowledges this congressional intent, stating: “One reason Congress created

the adjustment of status provision was to enable certain aliens physically present in the United

States to become LPRs without incurring the expense and inconvenience of traveling abroad to

obtain an immigrant visa. Congress has added additional adjustment of status provisions to

"promote family unity"; and

     WHEREAS, On Friday, May 22, 2026, preceding a major holiday weekend, USCIS

published an unsigned memorandum (PM-602-0199) that upends over seventy years of

established immigration law and institutional practice; and

     WHEREAS, If implemented, this memorandum would forcibly separate U.S. citizens

from their spouses for indefinite, prolonged, or even permanent periods of time; and

     WHEREAS, This memorandum would effectively compel U.S. citizens to forego their

due process rights by mandating consular processing, an avenue where visa denials are generally

insulated from judicial review; now, therefore, be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

strongly condemns the implementation of USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199; and be it

further

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island urges

USCIS to continue to favorably exercise discretion in adjudicating adjustment of status

applications, consistent with historical practice prior to the sudden issuance of this unsigned

memorandum; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel J. McKee, Governor of

the State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the United States

Department of Homeland Security; the Honorable Joseph B. Edlow, Director of the United States

Citizenship and Immigration Services; and the Field Office Director of the United States

Citizenship and Immigration Services Providence Field Office.

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LC006535

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