Politics
Biden Announces Streamlined Residency Process for Undocumented Spouses of US Citizens
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.
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.
Human rights activist and lawyer Deji Adeyanju has faced backlash after suggesting that opposition figures, including Peter Obi, could contribute to President Tinubu’s chances of re-election if opposition votes remain divided.
He stated “If Tinubu gets re-elected in 2027, blame Peter Obi and the other contractor-general. With all the insecurity and kidnapping in the country, they are the ones aggressively working for his second term by ensuring opposition votes are divided like they did in 2023.”
His comments sparked criticism from many Nigerians, who argued that Peter Obi is not the only opposition figure and should not be solely blamed for political divisions.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has expressed confidence that the northern region will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the next election.
According to Matawalle, the administration has delivered major infrastructure projects and development initiatives across the region.
“For us in the North, our votes for the APC and President Tinubu will show clearly that we appreciate what he’s doing for the region.”
He added “If you see the dualisation of the Abuja–Kaduna, Zaria–Sokoto, and Ilela–Badagry expressways, you will agree with me that the North is experiencing key projects it never had in the past, even when a northerner was president.”
It was reported and revealed by the National Coordinator of the Obi Movement that an attack occurred at the movement against Peter Obi in Edo State.
He stated that the armed people had guns and shot at Peter Obi and his members of the movement.
“At the formal declaration of Olumide Akpata into the African Democratic Congress, armed individuals followed us from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
They shot at the gate and destroyed several vehicles in what appears to be a survived assassination attempt on our lives. Democracy is in danger.”
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