Proposed Immigration Laws & Processes Under US President Joe Biden
President Joe Biden proposed legislation that would help millions of undocumented immigrants become legal citizens in 8 years under certain circumstances. Essentially, eligible immigrants would be placed on a temporary status for 5 years and be required to meet certain criteria in order to obtain a green card. Such criteria include passing background checks, paying taxes, and completing other basic requirements. From there, qualifying immigrants could apply for citizenship three years later.
Immigrants must have been in the US by January 1, 2021, to qualify for this proposed plan. Why? The President wants to deter immigrants from rushing to the border for the sole purpose of applying for this 8-year path to citizenship.
However, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries and temporary protective status (TPS) migrants from disaster-ridden nations may apply for a green card right away rather than wait 5 years. This expedited path to naturalization is only available to these groups if they are working, in school, or satisfy other requirements.
President Biden’s proposal does not stop there. His bill also proposes the following:
- Transitioning US refugee and asylum systems “back to a more humane and orderly process”
- Establishing a reunification program for Central American relatives of US citizens to allow approved US residents to come to America rather than wait at home for an opening
- Setting up a refugee admissions program at several processing centers overseas
- Requiring the Department of Homeland Security to adopt new border security tactics
- President Biden plans to stop the border wall expansion
- Repealing the “Muslim ban,” which bans people from Muslim-majority nations from coming to the US
- Reviewing TPS programs to evaluate which ones could be reinstated
- Strengthening the number of employment and family-based visas available to immigrants
- Granting work permits for spouses and children of temporary worker visa holders
- Exempting doctoral STEM graduates from certain visa limits
These sweeping changes have yet to be passed. In the meantime, our Plano immigration lawyer is staying up-to-date on revisions, timelines, and impacts within the President’s immigration plan. Thus, clients can turn to us as a trusted source of information and a tireless advocate for their immigration goals.
If you have any questions or concerns about how President Biden’s immigration plan could impact you and your family, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 888-4-ZEN-LAW!