New Whitehouse Statement Supports More Legal Immigration Paths
In early 2021, the Biden Administration released a new plan that supports more legal immigration paths.
The Whitehouse statement elaborated on The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, which aims to establish a new system to manage and secure the border, keep families and communities safe, and better manage migration across the Hemisphere. The most exciting news in the bill is the new and added legal immigration pathways for people hoping to make the United States their permanent home.
What Do The New Legal Immigration Paths Look Like?
The Biden administration bill offers several new legal immigration pathways.
First, the bill allows all undocumented immigrants currently in the country to apply for temporary legal status. These people may apply for green cards after five years if they pass criminal and national security background checks and pay yearly taxes.
Dreamers, TPS holders, and immigrant farmworkers who meet specific requirements are immediately eligible for green cards under the proposed legislation.
Another way the legislation aims to add pathways is by prioritizing keeping families together. The bill proposes to do this by clearing backlogs, recapturing unused visas, eliminating long wait times, and increasing per-country visa caps. The bill also eliminates the so-called “3 and 10-year bars” and other provisions that separate families. The bill also provides an inclusive definition of family, including the LGBTQ+ community.
Another pathway to citizenship includes the workforce. The Biden administration wants this bill to grow the economy, so it wants to clear employment-based visa backlogs, recapture unused visas, reduce lengthy wait times, and eliminate per-country visa caps. The legislation also improves access to green cards for workers in lower-wage sectors; and aims to eliminate unnecessary hurdles for employment-based green cards.
What Should I Do If I Want To Become A Legal U.S. Citizen?
If you want to become a U.S. citizen or change your immigration status, contact Fay, Grafton, & Nunez immediately. We offer $200 immigration consultations to help you start your pathway to immigration with the best legal advice.
Fay, Grafton, & Nunez can help you craft your immigration visa or citizenship applications to ensure they’re correct the first time. Our experienced team can also represent you in immigration court to ensure you have the best chance of remaining in the United States.
