Married to a US Citizen? Biden Could Give You Legal Status
Immigration is a key issue leading up to the US elections, and we can expect plenty of related debate and developments over the next few months. The latest chapter in this story comes with a new announcement by President Biden. According to the President’s new plan, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States could suddenly achieve legal status. This program is specifically geared toward spouses of US citizens. How does it work, and how do you know whether you qualify? You can ask these questions during your first consultation with an experienced immigration lawyer in Palm Beach County.
500,000 People Could Suddenly Get US Legal Status
In June of 2024, Biden announced a transformative new immigration policy that could eventually make up to 500,000 people eligible for legal status. These individuals could subsequently pursue permanent residence and citizenship. Only spouses of US citizens would qualify for this new program.
How exactly does it work? First, you must have lived in the United States for at least 10 years before applying. Second, you can file your application for legal status while remaining in the United States. This is a major departure from previous policies, which forced applicants to file their paperwork outside of the country. Often, this forced potential migrants to face considerable uncertainty. Some have been banned from returning after failed interviews or denied applications.
Doesn’t the United States Already Give Green Cards to Spouses of US Citizens?
You might be wondering why this program is being viewed as such an innovative move. After all, the United States already grants green cards to spouses of citizens. What sets this program apart is the fact that undocumented migrants qualify. In other words, you can pursue a green card even if you came into the country illegally and failed to pursue a proper permanent resident card for ten years.
Under previous policies, these undocumented migrants were forced to leave the country and then attempt to re-enter legally. Often, this triggered an automatic 10-year ban from entering the United States, causing many rifts within families. For example, mothers have been separated from their children and husbands after attempting to leave and re-enter.
With all that said, it is difficult to predict whether these plans will actually come to fruition. If Biden does not win the election, the new president could easily abandon these policies – and many others.
Find an Experienced Immigration Lawyer in Palm Beach County
Biden’s announcement is certainly promising, but it might be difficult to determine whether you qualify without advice from an immigration attorney in Palm Beach County. Book a consultation with The Devore Law Group, and you can assess this new opportunity in more detail. Even if you do not qualify, there may be other pathways to legal status, permanent residence, and citizenship to consider. Generally speaking, spouses of US citizens are eligible to remain in the United States for extended periods. Book a consultation today to continue this important discussion.
Sources:
apnews.com/article/president-joe-biden-immigration-border-citizenship-spouses-69b9212c382d9bb265369b29b62622d7
cbsnews.com/news/biden-immigration-program-offers-legal-status-immigrant-spouses-of-u-s-citizens/
