President Joe Biden listens as he meets with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the Oval Office at the White House, Monday, June 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
The Biden administration announced new immigration policies that aim to streamline the path to citizenship for longtime US residents, particularly undocumented spouses of US citizens and “Dreamers,” or undocumented immigrants who were brought to the US as children.
Here’s what’s new:
- Streamlined citizenship timeline for spouses of citizens who have lived in the US for 10 years
- Spouses don’t have to leave the country while applying for permanent residency
- Expedited work visas for “Dreamers” with a college degree or high-skill job offer
An estimated 500,000 people will be eligible for the streamlined citizenship process, and the new work visa rule will affect over 3.5 million “Dreamers.”
For too long, mixed-status families have lived in fear that a traffic stop or a hospital visit could tear them apart. This announcement from @POTUS is big news that will let parents drive their kids to school, get a good job, and participate fully in our communities. 1/ https://t.co/gBU5g6F1oy
— Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) June 18, 2024
To qualify, an immigrant must have lived in the United States for 10 years as of Monday and be married to a U.S. citizen. If a qualifying immigrant’s application is approved, he or she would have three years to apply for a green card and receive a temporary work permit, shielded from deportation in the meantime.
About 50,000 noncitizen children with parents who are married to U.S. citizen could also potentially qualify for the process, according to senior administration officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity. There is no requirement on how long the couple must have been married, but no one becomes eligible after Monday. That means immigrants who reach that 10-year mark after Monday will not qualify for the program, according to the officials.
Senior administration officials said they anticipate the process will be open for applications by the end of the summer. Fees to apply have yet to be determined.
Gustavo Torres, the executive director of CASA, said Biden’s announcement would energize Latino communities to get out and support him. “This is what our communities have needed to rally behind President Biden for reelection,” he said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
