Biden's Path To Citizenship For Spouses Of U.S. Citizens

This photo provided by Juan Enrique Sauceda, shows Sauceda, left, with his wife Nancy Valderrama Riveros, second left, and their children Brayan Alexander Sauceda, and Jennifer Janneth Sauceda, in Mon

Registration opened Monday for an estimated 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens to gain legal status without having to first leave the country. This opportunity, presented by President Joe Biden, offers a path to citizenship without the requirement of exiting the U.S. for up to 10 years.

To be eligible, spouses must have lived continuously in the United States for 10 years as of June 17, 2024, and have been married by that date. The Biden administration estimates that 500,000 spouses and 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens could benefit from this initiative.

The Homeland Security Department emphasized the importance of this policy, stating that without it, many noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens would likely remain in the U.S. without lawful status, causing families to live in fear and uncertainty about their futures.

50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens could also benefit.

Spouses must have lived in the U.S. for 10 years by June 17, 2024.

Policy aims to prevent families from living in fear and uncertainty.

Spouses who do not meet the specified criteria face a difficult decision: leave the country voluntarily for an extended period to reenter legally or stay in the U.S. without legal status.

Individuals like Karen Chavarria, who voluntarily left the U.S. to accumulate time away in hopes of reuniting with their spouses, have faced challenges and uncertainties. Karen, who resides in Nicaragua, has been separated from her husband, Xavier, who lives in New Jersey with their two children.

The new policy has brought mixed emotions for individuals like Karen, who have been striving for legal status and reunification with their families. The eligibility criteria, which exclude individuals with certain criminal backgrounds or security threats, aim to provide a pathway to citizenship for those who qualify.

While the policy offers hope for many spouses seeking legal status, there are still questions about the eligibility of those who voluntarily left the country. The Department of Homeland Security has indicated that such individuals may be eligible for continued processing abroad.

Overall, the initiative to grant legal status to spouses of U.S. citizens without requiring them to leave the country represents a significant step towards providing stability and security for immigrant families in the United States.