Biden Administration's Immigration Program Aims To Reduce Border Crossings?

Aiming to discourage unlawful border crossings, the Biden administration introduced a new immigration program called the Family Reunification Parole (FRP)process last July 10. It is intended to allow certain immigrants from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras to legally enter the US if they have family members who are US citizens or legal residents. The US government is hoping to accommodate up to 100,000 migrants through this program.

To be eligible, migrants must have family ties in the US, and their US citizen or permanent resident relatives must start the process by applying for their visas. Qualified family members include (1) adult children and (2) siblings of US citizens, as well as (3) children and (4) spouses of permanent residents.

Once these visa requests are approved, the US relatives can then apply to have their family members come to the US more quickly than the usual visa process. These selected family members will then be allowed to legally enter the US and work here. Once their visas are available, they may eventually obtain permanent residency or a green card.

Consult with an immigration lawyer in New York if you want to participate in the program and think that you and your family members may be eligible.

According to government data, over 70,000 individuals could immediately qualify for the FRP. As of late May, around 17,400 Colombians, 32,600 Salvadorans, 12,800 Guatemalans, and 10,700 Hondurans were waiting in the family-based immigrant visa backlog with approved petitions. Nevertheless, not all of these migrants are expected to be invited into the program.

The FRP is seen as an alternative to illegal immigration. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas noted that expanding legal pathways along with stronger enforcement has proven to reduce dangerous and irregular migration to the US.

Earlier in his term, President Biden revived two similar programs from the Obama and Bush eras for Cubans and Haitians with US relatives. In addition, the government hasbeen implementing stricter rules for those who don't use these programs. These measures are credited with a significant drop in unlawful border crossings since the discontinuation of Title 42 in May. Daily crossings have fallen below 4,000 from a peak of 10,000 before Title 42 expired.

An immigration lawyer in New York can give you guidance on how to successfully navigate this new FRP process. Understanding the complexities and nuances of immigration law can be challenging, but the right legal advice can significantly improve your chances of success. If you or a family member is considering applying for this program, don't hesitate to contact Berd & Klauss, PLLC. Our experienced attorneys are ready to help you every step of the way in securing a brighter future in the US.

About the Author:

This content is written by Patrick Klauss, Esq, an immigration lawyer and a partner at Berd & Klauss, PLLC. The firm specializes in immigration & immigration-related issues and handles everything from immigrant visas to deportation and waivers.