The Biden administration announced a new program offering deportation protection, work permits, and a pathway to citizenship for up to 500,000 immigrant spouses of US citizens.
This initiative aims to alleviate the long separations families face under current immigration laws, which require individuals who crossed the border illegally to return to their home countries to complete the green card process.
The new policy could affect upwards of half a million immigrants, as stated by senior administration officials.
To qualify, an immigrant must have lived in the US for 10 years as of June 17, 2024, and be married to a US citizen.
Approved applicants will have three years to apply for a green card and, in the interim, will receive a temporary work permit and protection from deportation.
Additionally, about 50,000 noncitizen children with a parent married to a US citizen could potentially qualify for the same process.
There is no requirement regarding the duration of the marriage, and eligibility is fixed to those meeting the 10-year residency mark by June 17, 2024.
Officials anticipate that applications will open by the end of summer, with fees yet to be determined.
This announcement coincides with the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, a key Obama-era directive offering deportation protections and temporary work permits for young undocumented immigrants
White House officials have encouraged House Democrats to return to Washington for the announcement.
Alongside this, Biden will introduce new regulations to help certain DACA beneficiaries and other young immigrants qualify more easily for established work visas, providing more robust protections than DACA's temporary work permits.
The policy leverages the "parole in place" authority previously used by Presidents George W.
Bush and Barack Obama for family members of military personnel.
This process allows qualifying immigrants to pursue US permanent residency without leaving the country, removing a significant barrier for those without legal status but married to American citizens.
This announcement follows Biden's recent border policy changes, which halted asylum claims for those arriving outside designated ports of entry.
This directive has led to a reduction in border encounters and is currently facing legal challenges from immigrant-rights groups.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/migrate/500000-immigrants-could-eventually-get-us-citizenship-under-bidens-new-plan/articleshow/111081733.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
