The immigration registry process allows people who have lived in the U.S. since January 1, 1972, and who are undocumented to apply and become lawful permanent residents. However, this law has not been updated since 1986.
H.R. 1511 is a new bill now being considered in Congress so that undocumented residents that have been in the U.S. since January 1, 2016, will be able to apply to become lawful permanent residents. This would allow as many as 7.3 million undocumented people to find a pathway to legal residence.