What Does Biden’s Immigration Bill Mean for You?
An advocate for immigration reform, President Biden is proposing an 8-year path to citizenship for close to 11 million undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US on or before January 1, 2021. Under the US Citizenship Act of 2021, eligible undocumented immigrants would be placed on Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 5 years. If they satisfy certain requirements such as paying taxes and passing background checks, such undocumented individuals may obtain a green card. Qualifying immigrants may apply for US citizenship 3 years later.
Keep in mind that under the Act, current TPS holders, “dreamers,” and immigrant agriculture workers could potentially obtain a green card immediately, rather than wait for 5 years. Members of Congress are still reviewing the President’s proposal, and if it passes, millions of people who don’t have legal status could obtain US citizenship.
But an expedited pathway to citizenship is not the only focus here. President Biden’s proposed immigration bill addresses a broad range of immigration-related issues, such as border security, labor protections, and causes of migration. Some key proposals outlined in the immigration bill include:
- Revoking 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
- Using smart border controls by implementing technology and infrastructure to current border patrol operations
- Transitioning US refugee and asylum systems “back to a more humane and orderly process”
- Funding training and education for border patrol agents to enhance their safety and professionalism
- Improving immigration courts to protect vulnerable individuals
- Expanding investigations, intelligence collection, and analysis to tighten sanctions against foreign criminals and foreign criminal organizations
Although the President’s bill is merely a proposal and has not been passed in Congress yet, undocumented individuals seeking citizenship in the US should prepare for the immigration process as thoroughly as possible. The US immigration system is notoriously complex and demanding as it is, so if the US Citizenship Act of 2021 passes, you should be ready to navigate the system according to the new procedures and regulations. But you shouldn’t do it alone.
With Lim Law, P.A. on your side, you can get the legal counsel and trusted guidance you need to achieve your goals in the US. Our immigration attorneys are prepared to address any questions or concerns you may have about the application process, eligibility requirements, forms and paperwork, potential risks, and more. Ultimately, our mission is to understand your needs and help you fulfill them as effectively as possible.
Schedule your free consultation today at (407) 512-9919!
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