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H8608
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
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WHEREAS, Rhode Islanders possess the right not to be deprived of life, liberty, or
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property without the due process of law, which inherently includes the freedom to establish a
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family and enter into marriage regardless of a spouse’s national origin; and
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WHEREAS, Since the passage of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, citizens
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of the United States have been permitted to sponsor their immigrant spouse for lawful permanent
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residence without being subjected to forced separation through mandatory consular processing
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abroad; and
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WHEREAS, In enacting these laws, Congress established an inland immigration process
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with the intent of promoting and preserving family unity; and
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WHEREAS, The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy
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Manual explicitly acknowledges this congressional intent, stating: “One reason Congress created
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the adjustment of status provision was to enable certain aliens physically present in the United
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States to become LPRs without incurring the expense and inconvenience of traveling abroad to
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obtain an immigrant visa. Congress has added additional adjustment of status provisions to
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"promote family unity"; and
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WHEREAS, On Friday, May 22, 2026, preceding a major holiday weekend, USCIS
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published an unsigned memorandum (PM-602-0199) that upends over seventy years of
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established immigration law and institutional practice; and
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WHEREAS, If implemented, this memorandum would forcibly separate U.S. citizens
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from their spouses for indefinite, prolonged, or even permanent periods of time; and
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WHEREAS, This memorandum would effectively compel U.S. citizens to forego their
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due process rights by mandating consular processing, an avenue where visa denials are generally
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insulated from judicial review; now, therefore, be it
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
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strongly condemns the implementation of USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199; and be it
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further
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RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island urges
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USCIS to continue to favorably exercise discretion in adjudicating adjustment of status
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applications, consistent with historical practice prior to the sudden issuance of this unsigned
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memorandum; and be it further
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RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
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transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel J. McKee, Governor of
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the State of Rhode Island; the Honorable Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the United States
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Department of Homeland Security; the Honorable Joseph B. Edlow, Director of the United States
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Citizenship and Immigration Services; and the Field Office Director of the United States
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Citizenship and Immigration Services Providence Field Office.
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LC006535
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