In order to enable US citizens with noncitizen spouses and children to maintain their families together, US President Joe Biden has extended legal status to over half a million immigrants currently living in the nation.

The White House released a statement saying, "This new process will help certain noncitizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence—status that they are already eligible for—without having to leave the country."

The White House said this action will protect approximately half a million spouses of US citizens, and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a US citizen.

Eligibility criteria to become a US citizen

-To be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a US citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements. On average, those eligible for this process have resided in the US for 23 years.

-Those who are approved after the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) case-by-case assessment of their application will be afforded three years to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorisation for up to three years. This will apply to all married couples who are eligible.

Work visa process eased 

Biden has also announced a plan to ease the process for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiaries (and potentially other Dreamers) to access high-skilled employment visas.

The White House explained this move will allow individuals, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers, who have earned a degree at an accredited US institution of higher education in the United States, and who have received an offer of employment from a US employer in a field related to their degree, to more quickly receive work visas.

“Recognising that it is in our national interest to ensure that individuals who are educated in the US are able to use their skills and education to benefit our country, the Administration is taking action to facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have a high-skilled job offer, including DACA recipients and other Dreamers,” the White House statement reads.