Stateless Protection Act of 2024

The Stateless Protection Act of 2024 would create "stateless protected status" for noncitizens in the United States who are stateless (not recognized as citizens by any country). The bill would allow these individuals to apply for protection from deportation, employment authorization, travel documents, and adjustment to lawful permanent resident status (a green card). It establishes a process for determining statelessness, requiring the Department of Homeland Security to consider evidence from various sources including international organizations and foreign governments. The legislation directly affects approximately 218,000 stateless people living in the U.S., who currently face barriers to work, education, healthcare, and travel due to their legal status. The bill also includes provisions for preventing statelessness internationally and updating U.S. laws to prevent future cases of statelessness.