📷 Image Credits: NDTV
President Joe Biden is set to unveil new rules that will make it easier for undocumented spouses of US citizens to obtain permanent residency status. The Biden administration has been navigating a delicate balance on immigration, positioning itself as tougher on illegal migrants while differentiating from the harsher policies of former President Donald Trump. The new rules aim to streamline the process for those who already qualify without expanding eligibility for permanent residency.
The new regulations will eliminate the requirement for applicants to leave the country during the application process. They will apply to individuals present in the United States for at least a decade and married to a US citizen before June 17, 2024, potentially benefitting around 500,000 people. In addition, an estimated 50,000 stepchildren of US citizens will also be eligible for the streamlined process.
Approved individuals will receive work authorization and the right to stay in the US for up to three years while applying for permanent residency. Once granted permanent residency, they may later apply for citizenship. The aim of these measures is to reduce bureaucracy and mitigate the challenges associated with leaving the country for the application process.
While the administration is taking steps to simplify the process for undocumented spouses, it emphasizes that comprehensive reform of immigration and asylum laws can only be achieved through congressional action. Despite previous efforts at bipartisan immigration reform collapsing, the Biden administration remains committed to addressing the complexities of the US immigration system.
Additionally, the administration is also working to provide a pathway for individuals who arrived in the US illegally as children, known as Dreamers, to obtain work visas upon graduation from college with a high-skilled job offer. These initiatives mark significant developments in the ongoing efforts to reform the US immigration system.
Overall, President Biden’s proposed changes signify a shift towards a more inclusive immigration policy that aims to provide opportunities for long-term residents and undocumented individuals to secure legal status in the United States.
