

How was it working?
When an American citizen marries someone who is not a citizen but resides in the country, the spouse can apply for a “green card,” granting long-term permanent residence. However, if the spouse has been living in the country illegally, the process becomes more challenging.
Typically, spouses who have been in the U.S. unlawfully must return to their nation of origin to apply. Before reapplying, they may need to stay outside the U.S. for three to ten years, depending on their unauthorized stay duration. To avoid such a lengthy wait abroad, they can request a waiver, although this process usually takes around three and a half months.
How is Biden changing immigration policy?
Noncitizens who meet all applicable legal conditions and who, as of June 17, 2024, have lived in the United States for ten or more years as well as be lawfully married to a citizen of the United States are eligible. Participants in this process have, on average, lived in the United States for 23 years.
Upon approval, applicants will be granted work permits for a maximum of three years and permitted to stay in the country with their families, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security’s case-by-case review of each application. All married couples who meet the eligibility requirements will be covered.
Almost 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren under the age of 21 whose parents are married to U.S. citizens as well as almost half a million spouses of U.S. citizens will be protected by this move.
“And other Dreamers, who have earned a degree at an accredited U.S. institution of higher education in the United States, and who have received an offer of employment from a U.S. employer in a field related to their degree, to more quickly receive work visas,” according to President Biden’s announcement of measures enabling Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. In his statement, he stated that the administration “is taking action to facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have an offer of employment in a high-skilled field, including Dreamers and DACA recipients.”
The proposed move aims to simplify the “D-3” waiver process, which allows individuals to ask for a waiver at a consular post to get over their issue of unlawful presence.
It is anticipated that information will be made available throughout the summer, along with an application procedure. Applications are not yet available.
Explore more on