; and (3) by inserting or permanent partnership after marital union . (d) Waivers of inadmissibility Section 212 of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1182 ) is amended— (1) by redesignating the second subsection (t) as subsection (u); and (2) by adding at the end the following: (v) Continued waiver eligibility for widows, widowers, and orphans In the case of an alien who would have been statutorily eligible for any waiver of inadmissibility under this Act but for the death of a qualifying relative, the eligibility of such alien shall be preserved as if the death had not occurred and the death of the qualifying relative shall be the functional equivalent of hardship for purposes of any waiver of inadmissibility which requires a showing of hardship. . (e) Surviving relative consideration for certain petitions and applications Section 204(l)(1) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1154(l)(1) ) is amended— (1) by striking who resided in the United States at the time of the death of the qualifying relative and who continues to reside in the United States ; and (2) by striking any related applications, and inserting any related applications (including affidavits of support), . (f) Immediate relatives Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1151(b)(2)(A)(i) ) is amended by striking within 2 years after such date . (g) Family-Sponsored immigrants Section 212(a)(4)(C)(i) is amended— (1) in subclause (I), by striking , or and inserting a semicolon; (2) in subclause (II), by striking or at the end; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (IV) the status as a surviving relative under section 204(l)