CurrentReport Blog In a significant move towards immigration reform, President Joe Biden announced a new initiative aimed at simplifying the residency process for immigrants married to U.S. citizens. The announcement, made via the President’s verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, outlines a streamlined process for obtaining legal status for those who have lived in the United States for a decade or longer.
President Biden emphasized the importance of family unity in his statement: “My administration is acting to streamline the process for obtaining legal status for immigrants married to U.S. citizens who have lived here for a decade or longer. Now, they can file their paperwork in the U.S. and work while they wait. This is about keeping families together.”
Key Aspects of the New Policy:
- Eligibility and Filing: The streamlined process will allow eligible immigrants, who have been legally married to U.S. citizens by June 17 and have resided in the U.S. for at least 10 years, to file their paperwork within the country.
- Work Authorization: Immigrants can apply for work permits and remain employed while their residency applications are processed.
- Exclusions: Individuals posing threats to national security or public safety are excluded from this program.
- Parole in Place Program: This policy is an extension of the Department of Homeland Security’s “Parole in Place” initiative, which grants deportation protections and work permits to qualifying undocumented spouses.
- Criminal Background Checks: Applicants must undergo and pass a criminal background check to qualify for the program.
- Limitations: The program does not apply to future immigrants; it is tailored to those who already meet the established criteria.
Impact and Reach:
Administration officials estimate that approximately 500,000 unauthorized immigrants, married to U.S. citizens, will benefit from this new policy. The initiative is seen as a step towards maintaining family integrity and reducing the bureaucratic hurdles faced by immigrant families in the United States.
The Biden administration continues to focus on humane and pragmatic immigration solutions. This new policy underscores the commitment to ensuring that families remain united and that immigrants contributing to society have a clear path to legal residency.
