Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360P]
After Joseph Biden was sworn in this morning as the 46th president of the United States, the new president kept his election promise where he promised that on the first day of his term he would introduce an immigration bill, which includes the possibility of some 11 million undocumented people obtaining legal residency.
After four years in which Donald Trump was very aggressive against immigrants, this Wednesday's announcement is a respite for thousands of people who for years have sought to remain in the country legally and without fear of being deported or having their families separated.
The details of the bill the Democrat sent to Congress on Wednesday are part of his commitment to "modernize" the immigration system towards the "U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021.
It should be noted that the initiative will have to be supported by the legislative chambers that are currently mostly made up of Democrats, which could speed up the process to make the law change a reality.
With the reform, about 11 million immigrants could get their "green card" as long as they meet certain requirements, including always having paid their taxes and not having a criminal record.
In addition to the beneficiaries are the "Dreamers", minors who arrived in the country as children of their parents, also undocumented, as well as those protected under the Temporary Protection Status (TPS), mostly Central Americans.
While immigrant farm workers will be able to apply for "immediate" legal residence, and three years later access citizenship.
It is important to note that the bill states that the measure will only be for those immigrants who have been physically present in the United States on or before January 1, 2021.
In addition, those who were deported during the Trump administration, beginning January 20, 2017, and who were physically present for at least three years before removal may apply for the same benefit for "family unity and other humanitarian purposes.
Family reunification will also be a guide in the bill, where importance will be given to LGBTQ+ family groups.
The bill also includes a provision that prohibits "discrimination based on religion and limits presidential authority to issue future prohibitions" and increases diversity visas from 55,000 to 80,000.
If passed, Biden's bill would become the largest immigration reform since the 1981-1989 administration of Ronald Reagan, who once legalized three million undocumented immigrants.
