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Family Unity Program to Aid Undocumented Spouses and Children Starting August 19
Senator Cortez Masto Applauds New Measures for Dreamers and Undocumented Families
In a major move to help undocumented families the White House announced that starting next month certain undocumented spouses and children of U.S. citizens can apply for legal residence while staying in the country through the new family unity program. The family unity program which is introduced by President Joe Biden in June allows these immigrants to “parole in place” instead of having to return to their home countries provided they have lived in the U.S. for at least ten continuous years. According to Las Vegas Review-Journal, the new application process will open on August 19. This initiative is expected to benefit around half a million spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 noncitizen children whose parents are married to U.S. citizens. However, the process will exclude those with a disqualifying criminal history or who are considered threats to public safety as noted by federal immigration officials.
The new “family unity program,” according to Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto would help families realize the “American Dream.” She emphasized that 136,000 American citizens live in Nevada alone and that many of them are living with an undocumented family member. Those who were brought into the country illegally as children known as “Dreamers” also receive refuge from the presidential order. Those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status are included in this. More than ten thousand DACA recipients live in Nevada but as of right now they have no way to become citizens. The goal of Biden‘s order is to make it easier for recent graduates to obtain a work visa and enter their fields of study.
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500,000 Spouses and 50,000 Children to Benefit from New Family Unity Program Starting August 19 (PHOTO: AKN Immigration)
Expanded Education and Legal Support Programs to Benefit Dreamers and Immigrant Families
Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Education is expanding family unity program to aid first-generation college applicants from low-income backgrounds to include Dreamers. Additional support is also directed towards Latino-serving institutions like UNLV, Nevada State University, and the College of Southern Nevada. The Department of Justice will double its “Attorney for the Day” program which recruits pro bono lawyers to assist with immigration court proceedings. They will also increase training for law students as stated by the White House. Senator Cortez Masto expressed her approval of these actions saying they ensure hardworking families in Nevada have access to necessary opportunities. She believes these steps will bolster the economy, help Nevada Dreamers succeed in college, and provide more legal and immigration resources to immigrant families. These changes mark a significant effort by the Biden administration to support immigrant families and provide more opportunities for them to build their lives in the United States. However, the new action is expected to face legal challenges in court.
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