The Biden administration has taken a significant step towards reforming the nation’s immigration system with the filing of new regulations that will allow some immigrant spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to remain in the United States as they seek lawful permanent resident status. This new policy, known as „Keeping Families Together,“ will provide eligible individuals with parole that allows them to stay with their families and work while navigating the bureaucratic process of obtaining a green card.
According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, those eligible for this program include spouses of U.S. citizens who have resided in the United States for more than a decade, as well as stepchildren of U.S. citizens. These individuals already qualify for a green card under U.S. immigration law but face obstacles in the current bureaucratic process, which the new program aims to alleviate.
The Department of Homeland Security estimates that there are approximately 765,000 noncitizens in the United States who are married to U.S. citizens and lack lawful immigration status. Around two-thirds of these individuals would be eligible for relief under the new initiative. Without this program, these spouses would have to leave the United States and apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, facing uncertainty about their ability to return.
Kelli Stump, president of the AILA, praised the new regulations as a positive step towards updating the nation’s immigration system. She emphasized the importance of putting families first and implementing sensible solutions to address the challenges faced by U.S. citizens‘ families in the immigration process. Stump also called for the expansion of the program and the identification of other lawful pathways to strengthen American families, communities, and the nation’s economy.
As part of the application process for parole under this program, applicants must pay a $580 fee and undergo background checks to ensure they qualify and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety. The regulation states that granting parole to eligible noncitizens will promote family unity, economic prosperity, diplomatic relationships, and national security objectives.
The Biden administration’s announcement of this new policy for noncitizen spouses comes amidst concerns from immigration advocates over other restrictive regulations affecting asylum eligibility for migrants. However, the spouse issue seems to have garnered little to no objections, with even conservative legal groups focusing their opposition on other immigration policies.
Overall, the new regulations represent a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by immigrant spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens in the immigration process. By prioritizing family unity and sensible solutions, the Biden administration is working towards a more inclusive and efficient immigration system that benefits American families, communities, and the nation as a whole.