(U.S.) Rep. Jim Costa is pushing to update the long-stalled immigration registry, aiming to open a path to legal status for long-time undocumented residents. He’s pressing colleagues and the administration in 2025 as farm towns and food supply chains face worker shortages.
Costa’s effort centers on a “simple fix”: move the registry cutoff date forward so people who’ve lived in the United States for many years can apply for permanent residence. The registry hasn’t been updated since 1986, leaving many with no way to get status despite decades of work, taxes, and community ties.
What Costa is doing now
- In early 2025, Costa backed a straightforward update to the immigration registry. He argues it would modernize an outdated tool and bring stability to families and employers.
- In April 2025, he joined nearly 50 lawmakers urging transparency on any cooperation between the IRS and DHS involving immigrant tax data, especially for farm workers using IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). He warned that using tax records for enforcement erodes trust and hurts the workforce that keeps stores stocked.
According to his office, this push comes alongside his broader record supporting immigrant farm workers, including past cosponsorship of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. He’s also engaged in current immigration talks and has supported separate measures on parole and enforcement, though those bills don’t directly update the registry.
What the immigration registry is
The immigration registry is part of U.S. law that lets certain undocumented immigrants apply for legal status if they can prove they’ve lived in the country since a specific date set by Congress. That date hasn’t moved since 1986. People who arrived after that year—even if they’ve been here for decades—can’t use it.
Key points:
– The registry sets a cutoff date for continuous residence eligibility.
– It has not been updated since 1986, leaving many long-term residents ineligible.
Why this matters for families and employers
- Updating the date could allow many long-time residents, including farm workers, to apply for green cards.
- Approved applicants would gain work authorization, protection from deportation, and access to key services.
- Legal status would help stabilize farm crews, reduce turnover, and support the food supply. It would also let families live with less fear, plan for college, and buy homes.
Opposition and political hurdles
Costa’s push faces resistance from lawmakers who want tougher immigration enforcement first. Bills like the CLEAR Act (S.114) reflect that approach by focusing on stronger enforcement roles for local authorities.
- Opponents argue expanding legalization could draw more unlawful crossings.
- Costa and allies counter that an updated registry is narrow—limited to people with long ties to the United States—and includes strict background checks.
What a registry update could look like
While no new law has passed yet, a typical process—based on past registry practice—would include:
- Congress passes a law moving the registry date and setting rules.
- Eligible people file applications with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), showing they’ve lived here since the new cutoff date.
- USCIS runs background and security checks and reviews documents proving identity and long-term residence.
- Those approved receive lawful permanent resident status (a green card).
- After meeting residency and other requirements, they could apply for U.S. citizenship.
For readers, USCIS explains adjustment of status basics and eligibility rules on its website. You can review official guidance under “Green Card” resources on USCIS.gov for how evidence and background checks usually work in permanent residence cases. As reported by VisaVerge.com, experts see an updated registry as a practical step that could legalize many long-time residents without waiting for a full immigration overhaul.
Important takeaway: an updated registry could legalize many long-time residents through a narrower, date-based process rather than a sweeping immigration overhaul.
Costa’s concerns about IRS–DHS cooperation
Costa and nearly 50 lawmakers asked the administration to explain any data-sharing between IRS and DHS that could put undocumented farm workers at risk. Many workers pay taxes with ITINs, which let people without Social Security numbers file returns.
- Costa argues tax systems should not become enforcement tools; otherwise workers may stop filing, hurting compliance and farm communities.
- Privacy advocates share that worry and call for clear guardrails around data use.
Who’s affected
- Undocumented residents with deep ties: People who’ve lived here for decades but lack a path to status could apply if Congress moves the date.
- Farm owners and crews: Legal status would reduce worker churn, help producers plan harvests, and lower the fear that disrupts planting and packing seasons.
- Local schools and health systems: Families with status can access benefits, schedule care, and support children’s education with fewer disruptions.
- Tax administration: If IRS data remains protected from enforcement use, more workers may continue filing returns, maintaining tax revenue and records.
Quotes and positions
- Costa frames the update as good for workers and the economy: a simple fix to help people who “have put down roots and kept our food supply running.”
- Privacy advocates warn that data-sharing between IRS and DHS could “turn tax filing into a risk,” undercutting a workforce already under pressure.
- Enforcement-minded lawmakers insist any legalization must come with strong border measures and point to bills like the CLEAR Act.
A snapshot case: farm family in California
Consider a field supervisor who arrived in 1991, raised children who are U.S. citizens, and pays taxes every year with an ITIN. An updated registry could let him apply for a green card after background checks and proof of continuous residence.
Potential benefits if approved:
– Take a higher-paying foreman role.
– Renew driver’s license without stress.
– Sign a home mortgage—investments that help the broader community.
What to watch in Congress
- No registry update had passed as of August 2025. Costa continues to push within the 119th Congress.
- The debate pairs legalization ideas like the registry with enforcement-centered bills. The final shape will depend on negotiations between both parties and the White House.
- Costa’s office also seeks clarity from the administration on IRS–DHS practices and is expected to craft safeguards for ITIN filers.
Practical next steps if a registry update advances
- Gather proof now: leases, bills, school records, medical visits, pay stubs, and tax filings that show continuous presence.
- Keep clean records: minor issues can complicate cases; seek legal advice if you have any past arrests or immigration orders.
- Watch official updates: USCIS would post instructions, forms, and fees after any new law—start with USCIS “Green Card” pages.
- Consider legal screening: a trusted attorney or DOJ-recognized nonprofit can review risks and options before filing anything.
Official resources
For authoritative updates on legal pathways and evidence requirements tied to permanent residence, review USCIS’s Green Card overview and adjustment guidance on the official USCIS website at uscis.gov (see “Green Card” sections). This is the central government source for forms, fees, and timelines.
Context in Costa’s record
- Costa backed the 2019 Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which aimed to grant status to about 1.5 million farm workers and expand guest worker programs.
- He also supports current discussions around parole and border policy. The Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2025 (S.1589) is separate from the registry issue and is still in early stages.
Bottom line
The immigration registry has sat frozen since 1986. Costa wants to update it so people who’ve built lives here can finally apply for legal status. The idea is simple, but the politics are tough. If Congress acts, the change could reshape daily life for many families and farms, while raising continuing debates over border policy and data privacy.
For now, long-time residents should:
– Track Congress,
– Keep records ready, and
– Seek qualified legal advice so they can move quickly if the window opens.
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