Break the Chain Act

New Nonimmigrant Status for Parents: The bill creates a new classification (section 101(a)(15)(W)) for an alien who is a parent of a citizen of the United States, provided the citizen is at least 21 years of age (Section 2(e)(1)). This allows parents of adult citizens to seek a specific type of nonimmigrant status.

Extended Stay for Parents: Under the new classification, the initial period of authorized admission is 5 years, and it can be extended for additional 5-year periods if the United States citizen child is still residing in the United States (Section 2(e)(2)(1)).

Redefinition of Immediate Relative: The bill strikes "parents" from the definition of an immediate relative of a United States citizen (Section 2(a)(1)(A)). This removes parents from the "immediate relative" category.

Loss of Status for Children/Spouses due to Age: An alien no longer satisfies the age requirement if they marry or turn 25 years of age prior to a visa becoming available (Section 2(c)(4)).

Restrictions on Nonimmigrant Parents: Individuals under the new nonimmigrant status (section 101(a)(15)(W)) are not authorized to be employed in the United States and are not eligible for any Federal, State, or local public benefit (Section 2(e)(2)).

Health Insurance Requirement: An alien is ineligible for the new nonimmigrant status unless the United States citizen child provides proof of arranged health insurance coverage at no cost to the alien (Section 2(e)(2)(4)).

Invalidation of Certain Petitions: The bill states that no person may file, and officials may not accept or approve, any petition seeking classification of an alien as a parent of a United States citizen under specific sections of the Act (Section 2(f)(2)(A)). It also declares pending petitions for such classifications to be invalid (Section 2(f)(2)(B)).