On Day One of newly sworn in President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ new administration, they unveiled a momentous bill that will impacts across immigration law.
Known as the US Citizenship Act of 2021, the comprehensive immigration reform bill aims to create a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and will reprioritize “smart” border control. Notable features of the proposed bill include provisions to:
- Clear the backlogs in family-based and employment-based categories
- Increase per country quota numbers
- Work authorization for those in H-4 status
- Elimination of the 3-and 10-year bars
- Prevent the “aging out” of children
- Increase the number of immigration judges to help clear the immigration court backlogs.
It is expected that the bill will undergo changes before a final bill is voted upon by the House and Senate. VisaPro will continue to monitor the progress of this momentous bill and will provide further updates as they come.
Aparna Sindhoor, Artistic Director, Navarasa Dance Theater
