On January 20, 2021, President Biden sent the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 to Congress.
The bill would modernize our immigration system and provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals and others.
U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021
The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 is an ambitious plan to overhaul our nation’s immigration system. Not only does it create a path to citizenship for the undocumented, TPS holders and Dreamers, it proposes significant reforms to our legal immigration system which is based on family ties, employment and the visa lottery.
It also proposes reforms for temporary working visas and the Immigration Court System.
Whether it will be enacted into law we will see in the coming months.
A Pathway to U.S. Citizenship
Certain undocumented individuals who have paid their taxes and passed criminal background checks would be able to apply for temporary legal status in the U.S.
After 5 years, they would be able to apply for green cards.
Dreamers, TPS holders and H-2A farmworkers would be able to apply for green cards immediately.
After 3 years, all green card holders who pass additional background checks and demonstrate knowledge of English and U.S. civics could apply to become U.S. citizens.
The bill requires that applicants must be physically present in the U.S. on or before January 1, 2021. However, the DHS Secretary may waive the presence requirement for those deported on or after January 20, 2017 who were physically present for at least 3 years prior to removal for family unity and other humanitarian purposes.
