January 27 2003

After the Vietnam War, many individuals from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos were paroled into the U.S., and have remained in an undefined immigration status. Starting today, qualified individuals from these three countries can apply for an adjustment of status (a green card).

To qualify, the individual must have entered the U.S. prior to October 1, 1997. In addition, the individual must have entered the United States from one of three programs: the Orderly Departure Program, a Refugee Camp in East Asia, or a Refugee Camp administered by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Thailand.

This new regulation should apply to as many as 5,000 people currently residing in the U.S.