People who are married to a United States citizen aren’t automatically allowed to come to or remain in the United States. Instead, they have to go through a special immigration process.
For some undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, the process hasn’t always been so easy. Some have challenges that could mean they need to leave the country to return to their home country. But that’s been risky because of the waiting periods to come back.
A pathway to legal status
The current administration has introduced a plan that could help undocumented spouses of citizens to gain legal immigration status. This could help to provide more stability for thousands of families in this country.
The plan is limited to those who were married prior to June 17, 2024 and have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least 10 years. They can’t have any disqualifying criminal history. If they’re approved, they receive parole-in-place relief, which allows them to apply for a green card and work authorization without leaving the country. They can eventually apply to become citizens.
Economic benefits of work authorization
One of the most significant aspects of this proposal is the potential for these individuals to gain work authorization. For many families, this could be transformative, enabling them to contribute more fully to the economy and secure a better future for their children.
This proposal is only one example of how the landscape of immigration is ever-changing. Keeping up with the changes can be difficult, especially for someone who’s trying to handle immigration matters. Working with someone who’s familiar with these matters may be beneficial to ensure they are following the proper steps.