Last month, President Joe Biden introduced an immigration reform bill to Congress named the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 that, if passed, will make major changes to the U.S. immigration system as it currently stands. The bill has several bold changes aimed at “restoring humanity and American values” with provisions that impact almost every group of immigrants in the United States. The most major changes proposed include providing a new path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants as well as removing several roadblocks for employment-based immigrants in obtaining visas and permanent residency.

Arguably, the boldest provision, and the centerpiece to the legislation, is the new path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the United States. Undocumented immigrants, DACA recipients, individuals in temporary protected status (TPS) and others would be able to receive temporary legal protected status if they pass criminal and national security background checks and pay their taxes. This status would allow them to apply for and receive a Social Security number, employment authorization documents and even travel documents. After eight years, they would be eligible to apply for citizenship, allowing them to also petition for family members.

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