On June 18th, President Joe Biden announced new immigration policies which focus upon expanding lawful pathways into the U.S. while securing the border, keeping families together, and ensuring protections for the long-term undocumented. The announcement will allow certain spouses of United States citizens to apply for “parole-in-place", a form of humanitarian immigration relief, from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Parole will allow qualifying family members to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status (also known as a green card) through their U.S. Citizen relatives without risking years of separation from their families.
Keeping families together
President Biden emphasized that the DHS will act to ensure U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can remain together. This initiative enables eligible noncitizen spouses and children to apply for lawful permanent residence – status that they are already eligible for – without needing to depart the country.
The June 18th announcement specified the following eligibility criteria for the program:
Have continuously resided in the United States since June 17, 2014;
Were physically present in the United States on June 17, 2024;
Have been legally married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024;
Entered the United States without admission or parole and do not currently hold any lawful immigrant or nonimmigrant status;
Have not been convicted of any disqualifying criminal offense;
Do not pose a threat to national security or public safety; and
Merit a favorable exercise of discretion.
Applicants will have to submit documentation proving that they meet the above criteria alongside their application form and pay a fee. However, it is not yet known exactly what forms of documentation will be accepted and what the fee will be. Those approved after DHS's individual assessment will receive a three-year period to apply for permanent residency, remain with their families in the U.S., and qualify for work authorization during this time.
This action aims to protect approximately 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens and around 50,000 noncitizen children under 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.
Easing the Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates, Including Dreamers
Additionally, Biden announced another measure that streamlines the waiver and visa process for individuals, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers, who have earned a degree from a U.S. institution and received a job offer in a related field from a U.S. employer. The new policy would allow DACA holders to now qualify for nonimmigrant work visas such as H-1B and O visas. This visa change would provide a more stable immigration status for thousands of Dreamers.
Contact us at info@jiaesq.com to learn more and confirm your eligibility.
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