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Biden Announces Streamlined Residency Process for Undocumented Spouses of US Citizens

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On Tuesday, June 18, President Joe Biden will introduce new regulations to simplify the pathway for undocumented spouses of US citizens to obtain permanent residency, the White House has announced.

The updated rules will not extend eligibility for permanent residency but will simplify the existing process for those already eligible. One significant change is the elimination of the requirement for applicants to leave the United States during the application process.

These new regulations will apply to individuals who have been residing in the US for at least 10 years and are married to a US citizen by June 17, 2024. The administration estimates that this will affect approximately 500,000 people. Additionally, around 50,000 stepchildren of US citizens will also benefit from these changes.

Those who qualify under the new rules will be granted work authorization and permission to remain in the US for up to three years while their permanent residency applications are processed. Upon obtaining permanent residency, commonly known as a green card, individuals can then apply for citizenship.

A senior administration official highlighted that the new process aims to “reduce bureaucracy and alleviate the hardship caused by the need to leave the country.” However, another official stressed that comprehensive reform of immigration and asylum laws can only be achieved through Congress.

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This announcement comes on the heels of President Biden’s executive order to close the border to asylum seekers after daily limits were reached, a move that faced significant backlash and legal challenges from various rights groups. Biden’s previous attempt to pass a bipartisan immigration reform package also failed when Republicans withdrew their support.

In addition, the Biden administration will simplify the process for “Dreamers”—individuals who entered the US illegally as children—to obtain work visas if they have graduated from college and secured a high-skilled job offer.


 

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Oshiomhole Says Tinubu Would Easily Win a Free and Fair Election

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Former Edo State Governor and current Nigerian Senator Adams Oshiomhole is betting big on President Bola Tinubu’s chances in a free and fair election today. In a lively interview on Channels Television, the ex-Nigerian Labour Congress chief didn’t hold back, saying Tinubu’s already done enough to lock in a second term.

Tinubu made some bold promises while campaigning for the 2023 elections, and while he’s ticked off a few, others are still a work in progress. When asked if Tinubu could win a fair vote given Nigeria’s struggles with the economy, security, and politics, Oshiomhole was all in. “He’d win, and he’d win big,” he said confidently. He pointed to real changes making a difference.

Oshiomhole shared a story about a senator who recently rejoined the APC, noting that before Tinubu took office, farmers in his area were too scared to work their fields due to rampant insecurity. Now, they’re back on their farms, and that senator credits Tinubu for the turnaround. Plus, new roads have made life easier for folks in that region, with hopes for even more progress now that the senator’s back in the APC fold.

Oshiomhole admitted that sitting in a place like Lagos, it’s easy to miss these wins when everyone’s focused on the bigger problems. But he urged people to look closer. One of Tinubu’s gutsiest moves? Scrapping the shady exchange rate system that let well-connected folks buy dollars dirt cheap from the Central Bank and flip them for massive profits.

“Tinubu could’ve played that game, but he shut it down on day one,” Oshiomhole said. Now, everyone—president, senator, or regular Nigerian—gets the same rate. That, he argued, took serious courage and leveled the playing field, even if it ruffled feathers among the elite.

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Activist Urges Tinubu to Choose a Christian VP for 2027 Election

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Activist and president of the North Central Youth Council, Sunday Asuku, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider replacing Vice President Kashim Shettima with a Christian candidate in the 2027 general election.

In a statement on Monday, Asuku stressed that Tinubu’s choice of vice president could make or break his chances for re-election. He argued that selecting a Christian vice president would not only be symbolic but also a strategic and unifying move for Nigeria’s democracy.

Asuku mentioned that the 2027 elections will be a crucial test of Nigeria’s commitment to unity and inclusivity. He pointed out that the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the 2023 elections created division, and that addressing this imbalance with a Christian running mate would help strengthen national cohesion.

He went on to say that religious balance in leadership is still a vital necessity in Nigeria’s diverse society. “Tinubu has a chance to correct the mistake of 2023 and make a strong statement of inclusion. This opportunity should not be missed,” Asuku said.


 

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Sam Amadi Says Peter Obi is the Only Candidate Who Ought to Be Elected

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Sam Amadi, former chairman of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has expressed concern over the increasing attacks on Peter Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, by top government officials.

Amadi pointed out that while Nigerian politicians focus on attacking Obi, he continues to highlight the country’s pressing issues, particularly its poor socio-economic state. He shared his views in a post on X, noting that it has become common for members of the current administration to target Obi, despite his focus on the broader problems facing Nigeria, rather than personal conflicts.

Amadi stated recent criticisms of Obi from the Presidency, Lagos State Governor, and Senate President Godswill Akpabio as examples of this troubling pattern. Obi’s comment about the “labour of our heroes past” being in vain, a remark reflecting on the country’s dismal situation, had sparked sharp reactions, including accusations from Akpabio that Obi was disrespecting Nigeria’s founding fathers. The Lagos State Governor also criticized Obi for his comments about the country’s economic direction during a recent overseas appearance, and the Presidency had earlier dismissed his proposals for governance reform.

Amadi, however, countered these attacks, emphasizing that while government officials focus on discrediting Obi, the former governor remains focused on addressing Nigeria’s structural challenges and the urgent need for reform. He added, “If elections were a purely rational exercise, Peter Obi is so far the only candidate who ought to be elected.”

Amadi lamented about the excessive attention being given to Obi by top government figures, pointing out that Obi’s campaign has remained free of personal attacks, instead advocating for a vision of national renewal based on accountability, economic reform, and responsible leadership.

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