Yes, I'm asking what carveout for dual-intent visas you're aware of in the Immigration and Nationality Act. The section on adjustment of status, INA 245, doesn't mention dual-intent at all.
Dual intent didn't exist when INA 245 (= 8 USC 1255) was drafted.
My current understanding is that the "carveout", as it were, is the creation of the notion of dual-status itself, in the 1990 immigration act. This made H1b visas both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, and thus eligible for INA 245.
For example, a law firm's opinion:
> However, the USCIS memo suggests the new policy may be less applicable to dual-intent nonimmigrant categories (e.g., H-1B, L-1 and their H-4 and L-2 dependents), where applying for adjustment of status is not inconsistent with maintaining status as a temporary visa holder. Dual intent means that a person can legally intend to reside temporarily in the United States for purposes of their temporary H-1B or L-1 work visa and simultaneously intend to apply for a future permanent residence status. Dual intent is a well-established concept in business immigration law, with many decades of support in federal law and regulation. The USCIS policy memo does caution that maintaining H-1B or L-1 dual-intent status alone is not sufficient, on its own, to warrant a favorable exercise of discretion. The USCIS officer must still weigh whether or not to exercise discretion in approving the adjustment application, but adjustment applications have always been discretionary.
Dual intent didn't exist when INA 245 (= 8 USC 1255) was drafted.
My current understanding is that the "carveout", as it were, is the creation of the notion of dual-status itself, in the 1990 immigration act. This made H1b visas both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, and thus eligible for INA 245.
For example, a law firm's opinion:
> However, the USCIS memo suggests the new policy may be less applicable to dual-intent nonimmigrant categories (e.g., H-1B, L-1 and their H-4 and L-2 dependents), where applying for adjustment of status is not inconsistent with maintaining status as a temporary visa holder. Dual intent means that a person can legally intend to reside temporarily in the United States for purposes of their temporary H-1B or L-1 work visa and simultaneously intend to apply for a future permanent residence status. Dual intent is a well-established concept in business immigration law, with many decades of support in federal law and regulation. The USCIS policy memo does caution that maintaining H-1B or L-1 dual-intent status alone is not sufficient, on its own, to warrant a favorable exercise of discretion. The USCIS officer must still weigh whether or not to exercise discretion in approving the adjustment application, but adjustment applications have always been discretionary.
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