New Citizenship Pathway

Feb 23, 2021

According to media, there is a new immigration legislation that proposes a path to citizenship for about 11 million foreign nationals. The U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 consists of an eight-year process for undocumented migrants to receive citizenship; a reduced option for DACA recipients and agricultural workers; and a more technologically advanced method of guarding the country’s border. Over the next four years, we could see this legislation could cost upwards of $4 billion.

Because this bill has so many components, lawmakers are considering whether the bill should pass as one bill or as multiple sections. Some Republicans are arguing that there should be even more protection at the border included in the bill, while other Republicans are saying that now is the time to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, not immigration.

However, Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman Raul Ruiz said that he hopes to be able to vote on these bills by April 1. The process for the new bills would allow undocumented immigrants to have a five-year temporary status and later, apply for a green card, and finally, three years later, be eligible for legal permanent residency.

This is a very extensive bill and exciting news for all impacted individuals, so if you have specific questions as they pertain to your case, give Law Offices of Wiliani-Malek a call today at (714) 432-1333!