Immigrants who live in the United States without residency status, but are married to a U.S. citizen, may apply for residency without having to leave the country.
President Joe Biden’s administration announced this on Tuesday. Foreign Editorial 18-06-24, 11:58 Last update: 13:50
The Washington Post describes the measure as “one of the most expansive immigration programs” of Biden’s presidency and as “a bold move months before the November elections.”
It is expected that approximately half a million illegally staying spouses will be able to apply for a residence permit and the scheme also applies to approximately 50,000 undocumented stepchildren of American citizens.
To qualify, the immigrant must, among other things, have lived in the US for at least ten years.
In 2012, then-President Barack Obama made it possible for undocumented immigrants who had come to the US as children to apply for a work permit.
According to The Washington Post, that measure changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.
Newsessentials Blog 
Posted on June 18, 2024
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