A Recap of the Latest Immigration News
In July 2024, several significant developments shaped the immigration discourse, impacting various aspects from visa processes to family reunification efforts.
Here are some of the recent trends and news in US immigration policies.
New Policy Offers Path to Residency for Undocumented Spouses
As mentioned in our previous newsletter, the Biden administration unveiled a new policy on June 18, 2024, to grant temporary legal status and a potential path to residency for undocumented immigrants married to US citizens.
This policy, known as “parole in place” (PIP), will provide work permits and deportation protection, allowing individuals to navigate existing legal obstacles that prevent them from obtaining permanent residency. By obtaining Parole in Place, they can eventually qualify for green cards and US citizenship without leaving the country.
USCIS will start accepting applications on August 19, 2024.
While the policy will be considered on a case-by-case basis, the general eligibility criteria are:
- Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024;
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024;
- Have no disqualifying criminal convictions;
Between now and August 19, potential applicants can start preparing their parole application by collecting evidence of their eligibility, for example:
- Evidence of a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024;
- Documentation of proof of identity, including expired documents;
- Evidence of spouse’s U.S. citizenship;
- Documentation to establish continued presence in the United States for at least 10 years, as of June 17, 2024;
For more details about what type of evidence to gather, click here.
If you would like to verify your eligibility, please contact us today!
Biden Administration Eases Visa Process for U.S. Grads and DREAMers
The Biden administration announced measures to simplify the employment visa process for college graduates with high-skilled job offers. This includes Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other young undocumented immigrants. Fundamental changes include streamlining the application process to make it faster and more predictable to help those who studied in the US remain and work in the country.
Although basic eligibility for work visas like the H-1B will not change, the administration plans to prioritize applicants who graduated from U.S. colleges, including DACA recipients, to retain these skilled individuals in the workforce.
The administration also seeks to clarify waivers for individuals with prior unlawful presence in the US, facilitating a more lenient and expedited approach. By expanding the definition of “high-skilled jobs” beyond the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields, the government hopes to attract a broader range of skilled workers. This initiative benefits employers facing talent shortages while opening up pathways to permanent residency through employment-based sponsorship for DACA recipients.
If you have questions about how these changes may affect your situation, you can reach out to the Law Office of Christine Contreras. Contact us today!