US introduces Citizenship Act 2023
The Citizenship Act, sponsored by the US government’s Democratic party, will modify the much desired H-1B visa system and eliminate the nation quota for green cards.
Three major components make up the US Citizenship Act: responsible and efficient border administration, economic expansion and a stronger labor force, and family reunification.
The bill permits those who have spent years, and in some cases decades, in the country to maintain their families legally and obtain the security and stability of US citizenship.
The bill provides undocumented noncitizens with a path to citizenship by enabling them to apply for temporary legal status (referred to as “Lawful Prospective Immigrant Status”), with the option to apply for lawful permanent residence (also known as a “green card”) after five years if they pass criminal and national security background checks and pay taxes.
Those who match certain criteria, such as Dreamers, TPS holders, and agricultural workers, will be instantly eligible for green cards. Included are eligible children and spouses.
US introduces Citizenship Act 2023
By allowing citizens and legal permanent residents in binational same-sex relationships to sponsor their permanent partners for immigration to the United States and to qualify as qualifying relatives for other immigration benefits and purposes, the bill redefines the term “spouse” to include permanent partners and ends discrimination against LGBTQ+ families.
The statute also grants children who have at least one citizen parent automatic citizenship, regardless of the parent’s biological link to the child.
safeguards children, widows, and orphans while treating stepchildren fairly.
The bill broadens existing protections to ensure that an immigrant’s determination of eligibility for a benefit is not hindered by the death of a sponsor, prevents children of U.S. citizens’ fiancés from ageing out of the visa and green card application processes, and accords stepchildren the same treatment in order to qualify as “immediate relatives” as long as they were younger than 21 at the time of their parents’ marriage.