H.R. 10685 — Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act

This section establishes a process for certain permanent residents of Hong Kong to adjust to lawful permanent resident status. Eligible individuals must have received Deferred Enforced Departure under the August 5, 2021 Presidential Memorandum or its extensions through January 15, 2025, maintained continuous U.S. residence since that date with limited absences, avoided return to Hong Kong or China, and met other conditions including no felony convictions or two misdemeanors. The provision also covers qualifying spouses, children, and unmarried adult sons and daughters; waives specified grounds of inadmissibility and deportability; authorizes employment and bars detention or removal during the application period; and cancels prior removal orders with an effective date of arrival in the United States.

This section authorizes adjustment of status for certain permanent residents of Hong Kong under a new section 245B of the Immigration and Nationality Act and exempts those adjustments from the numerical limitations in section 201(b)(1)(C).