WASHINGTON – Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced new initiatives by the Biden-Harris Administration aimed at keeping American families united and streamlining the process for Dreamers to access high-skilled labor visas.
“Today, the Department of Homeland Security is taking significant steps to end the fear and uncertainty faced by families where one spouse is a U.S. citizen and the other is undocumented,” Mayorkas stated. “Many of these families, who have lived in and contributed to our country for an average of 23 years, include U.S. citizen children.”
The new process will allow undocumented spouses who have lived in the U.S. for at least ten years and are married to U.S. citizens to pursue lawful permanent residency without needing to leave the country. This aims to maintain family unity, boost the economy, advance labor interests, strengthen foreign relations, and enhance public safety.
Additionally, the DHS, in collaboration with the State Department, will implement changes to the inadmissibility waiver process. This will enable certain noncitizens educated in the U.S., including DACA recipients, to access high-skilled labor visas for which they qualify.
Mayorkas emphasized that while these actions are significant, comprehensive immigration reform requires Congressional action. Only Congress can enact lasting changes needed to achieve family unity, economic prosperity, border security, and humanitarian relief.–News Desk