; and (2) has been physically present in the United States for at least 1 year and is physically present in the United States on the date the application for adjustment of status under this Act is filed, except an alien shall not be considered to have failed to maintain continuous physical presence by reason of an absence, or absences, from the United States for any periods in the aggregate not exceeding 180 days. (c) Stay of removal (1) In general The Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide by regulation for an alien subject to a final order of removal to seek a stay of such order based on the filing of an application under subsection (a). (2) During certain proceedings Notwithstanding any provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1101 et seq.), the Secretary of Homeland Security shall not order any alien to be removed from the United States, if the alien is in removal proceedings under any provision of such Act and raises as a defense to such an order the eligibility of the alien to apply for adjustment of status under subsection (a), except where the Secretary of Homeland Security has rendered a final administrative determination to deny the application. (3) Work authorization The Secretary of Homeland Security may authorize an alien who has applied for adjustment of status under subsection (a) to engage in employment in the United States during the pendency of such application and may provide the alien with an employment authorized endorsement or other appropriate document signifying authorization of employment, except that if such application is pending for a period exceeding 180 days, and has not been denied, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall authorize such employment. (d) Adjustment of status for spouses and children (1) In general Notwithstanding section 245(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1255(c) ), the status of an alien shall be adjusted by the Secretary of Homeland Security to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence, if— (A) the