Biden Administration announces plan to grant status to undocumented spouses of U.S. Citizens
By Bruce Allen In US Immigration NewsOn June 18, 2024 the Biden administration announced a plan to provide a path to green cards and eventually citizenship to undocumented husbands and wives of U.S. citizens. This program would, at first, provide “parole in place” and the right to apply for work authorization known as an EAD. The program would be open to undocumented persons who meet the following conditions:
- Entered the U.S. without inspection or parole on or before June 17, 2014
- Have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least ten years
- Married to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024
- Do not have a disqualifying criminal history.
Once granted “parole in place,” beneficiaries of this program will be eligible to apply for adjustment of status as lawful permanent residents. They will not be required to leave the United States and will not be required to apply for immigrant visas at a U.S. consulate.
The program will also apply to noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens are in the United States as of June 1, 2024. In all, it is estimated that 500,000 souses and 50,000 children will be eligible.
This program is not yet in effect. More details concerning eligibility, as well as application procedures, are expected to be announced later this summer.
