2006—Pub. L. 109–162 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), substituted “Secretary of Homeland Security” for “Attorney General”, inserted “(subject to subsection (b))” after “except” in introductory provisions, and added subsec. (b).

1996—Pub. L. 104–208, § 301(b)(2), in introductory provisions, inserted “and who is not inadmissible under section 1182(a)(9)(B)(i) of this title (or whose inadmissibility under such section is waived under section 1182(a)(9)(B)(v) of this title)” after “maintain that status”.

Par. (1). Pub. L. 104–208, § 671(a)(2), made technical amendment to directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 130003(b)(3). See 1994 Amendment note below.

1994—Par. (1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 130003(b)(3), as amended by Pub. L. 104–208, § 671(a)(2), substituted “(K), or (S)” for “or (K)”.

1986—Par. (4). Pub. L. 99–603 added par. (4).

1981—Pub. L. 97–116 permitted certain exchange visitors who are not subject to a requirement of returning to their home countries for two years, or who have had such requirement waived, to adjust to a visitor or diplomat status, prohibited the adjustment of nonimmigrant status by fiancee or fiance nonimmigrants, and specifically precluded the change of status with respect to doctors who have entered the United States as exchange visitors for graduate medical training, even if they have received a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement.

1961—Pub. L. 87–256 inserted references to paragraph (15)(J) of section 1101(a) of this title in two places.

Amendment by section 301(b)(2) of Pub. L. 104–208 effective, with certain transitional provisions, on the first day of the first month beginning more than 180 days after Sept. 30, 1996, see section 309 of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Amendment by section 671(a)(2) of Pub. L. 104–208 effective as if included in the enactment of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, Pub. L. 103–322, see section 671(a)(7) of Pub. L. 104–208, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

Amendment by Pub. L. 97–116 effective Dec. 29, 1981, see section 21(a) of Pub. L. 97–116, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.

For abolition of Immigration and Naturalization Service, transfer of functions, and treatment of related references, see note set out under section 1551 of this title.