Author: Gabriel Kornas

Democrats have introduced an immigration bill – The US Citizenship Act- which could provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented people. The bill is being championed by Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ). President Biden has already indicated support. Among other things, the bill will:

• Provide an 8-year pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US by January 1st, 2021 and pass a background check. The first 5 years would be provisional, after which the non-citizen could apply for a green card, and then 3 years later could apply for citizenship.
• There would be an expedited pathway for farmworkers and persons holding DACA status. No specific timeline was announced.
• Replace “alien” with “non-citizen” in law.
• Increase caps on family and employment based green cards. Eliminate the caps for STEM doctoral students.
• Establish dual-intent for international students with regards to immigration.
• Prevent states from charging non-resident tuition to refugees, asylum seekers, and other special categories of non-citizens.
• H-4 visa reform including adding work authorization for spouses and children.
• Expand transnational anti-drug task forces in Central America and improve technology at the southern border.

The bill is expected to be introduced in the House this week, and in the Senate next week, where it would need 10 Republican Senators to vote in favor. Bill text is available here (Senate) and here (House).

The bill contains numerous, wide-ranging provisions, and our office is still working through the text.