The Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) is a law that helps qualifying foreign nationals obtain legal permanent residency.

There are many other requirements that need to be met in order for a foreign national to qualify for NACARA benefits. For example, NACARA requires that the principal applicant be a citizen or national from certain designated countries. The deadline for Nicaraguan nationals to apply for benefits has expired so it is not included. Nationals who can still apply, if otherwise qualified, are: Guatemala and El Salvador. Alternatively, if as of December 31, 1991 you were a national of the former Soviet Union Republic such as Russia, Estonia, or Lithuania, or a national of Poland, Czechoslovakia, Rumania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania, or East Germany among others, you also would meet the qualifying nationality requirements under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.

Specifically, those who may qualify include:

Salvadorans who previously applied for asylum on or before April 1, 1990 or who entered the United States on or before September 19, 1990; AND registered for benefits under the ABC Settlement by submitting an ABC form or applying for TPS on or before October 31, 1991; AND were not apprehended at the time of entry if entry occurred after December 19, 1990.

Guatemalans who filed for asylum on or before April 1, 1990, or who entered the United States on or before October 1, 1990; AND registered for benefits under the ABC Settlement by submitting an ABC form on or before December 31, 1991; AND were not apprehended at the time of entry if entry occurred after December 19, 1990.

Nationals of the Soviet Union, Russia, any republic of the former Soviet Union, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Albania, East Germany, Yugoslavia or any state of the former Yugoslavia who entered the United States on or before December 31, 1990; AND applied for asylum on or before December 31, 1991.

Spouses, children and unmarried sons and daughters of individuals who have been granted suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal are also eligible to apply subject to certain conditions.

Because the NACARA laws have many restrictions it is best to consult with our offices about whether you qualify.