The topic of immigration in the United States is complicated but important.
While lawmakers have different approaches to resolving the countless issues in our immigration system, President Biden asserted his position on immigration throughout his campaign and continues to push for immigration reform. How is he working to make a change?
Under the US Citizenship Act of 2021, the President proposes an 8-year path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US on or before January 1, 2021. Specifically, the bill will allow undocumented immigrants to apply for green cards after five years if they pay their taxes and pass all the background checks. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, Dreamers, and immigrant farmworkers may be eligible for green cards immediately if the Act passes into law.
Other key proposals under the US Citizenship Act of 2021 include:
- Changing “alien” to “non-citizen” in law
- A NO BAN Act prohibiting discrimination based on religion
- Eliminating provisions that keep immigrant families apart
- Eliminating the 3 and 10-year bars, which ban undocumented immigrants who leave the US from returning to the US for 3 to 10 years
- Raising the per-country caps on family and employment-based legal immigration numbers
- Prioritizing smart border controls by adding technology and infrastructure to current border patrol operations
- Adding funding for training and education to promote border patrol agent safety and professionalism
- Enhancing abilities to prosecute suspected drug smugglers and traffickers who exploit migrants
- Expanding investigations, intelligence collection, and analysis to tighten sanctions against foreign criminals and foreign criminal organizations
The President’s proposed immigration laws could be a “game-changer” for immigrants seeking US citizenship, but on the other hand, it could complicate and confuse existing immigration procedures. Remember, the provisions above are only proposals and not actual laws yet. Congress is still reviewing President Biden’s proposed immigration bill, but until then, you should get familiar with the Citizenship Act if you are looking to obtain citizenship in the US. The sooner you prepare yourself and your family for the possible reforms to the US immigration system, the better off you’ll be when applying for citizenship.
Our experienced and trusted immigration attorney, Ameneh Maghzi, has been in your shoes because she is an immigrant herself. As such, she knows how complex and intimidating the US immigration process can be, which is why our priority is to help make the process as seamless as possible for you. If you have any questions about the 8-year path to citizenship or how our team can help you achieve your immigration goals, contact us at (843) 800-2750 today!