The House of Representatives has voted in favor of immigration reform by creating a path to citizenship for approximately four million undocumented immigrants. The bill now moves to the Senate with the goal of providing legal status to Dreamers and individuals with Temporary Protected Status.
Dreamers are young people that were brought to the United States as children.
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program was created by Congress in 1990 to give safe-haven to many who fled their homeland due to wars and and natural disasters.
The House also passed legislation to give legal status to almost a million farmers and their families. The Farm Workforce Modernization Act would benefit the large numbers of migrant agricultural workers. It creates a program for farmworkers and their families to obtain legal status as long as remain working in agriculture and pay a $1,000 fine.
The reform legislation passed by the House to benefit Dreamers, TPS holders and farmers will benefit people who have lived in the United States for many years but have not been offered a path towards citizenship. The recent votes on these bills represent a fraction of President Biden’s larger and more comprehensive immigration bill, known as the U.S. Citizenship Act.
The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 provides a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country. The proposed bill creates an eight-year path to citizenship for almost all undocumented immigrants in the United States as of January 1, 2021. First, following a background check that includes proof of the full payment of taxes, an applicant would receive an official employment work authorization permit for a period of 5 years. After five years, they would become eligible for a green card. Finally, after three years with permanent residency, an immigrant could apply for full citizenship.
The proposed reform legislation would also increase employment-based visas. Businesses and other employers will be able to more easily attract global talent by bringing foreign workers to the United States based on a variety of visas.
The Law Office of Miguel A. Serrano, based in Washington, D.C., provides expert immigration advice and total dedication to their clients. Immigration reform advocates have high hopes in the new Congress and with the Biden administration. As Business Immigration Lawyers, clients include employers and businesses, academics, scientists, artists and athletes from around the world. The firm represents many seeking an EB-1 visa, an L visa, O visa and an EB-2 for business start-ups. The firm also represents families seeking reunification with visas, residency applications and citizenship. With decades of experience, our firm can help your business solve the complex world of U.S. immigration law.