Rep. Cuellar Applauds Executive Actions to Protect DREAMers and Noncitizen Spouses of Citizens
Written by admin, Jun 22, 2024, 0 Comments
Courtesy Arturo Olivarez,
Laredo, TX – U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (TX-28) released the following statement after President Biden announced two executive actions that protect DREAMers and noncitizen spouses and children of citizens:
“I applaud the administration for working to protect DREAMers and noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens. These executive actions will help keep American families united and strengthen our economy,” said Dr. Cuellar. “This decision is a step forward for the thousands of DREAMers and noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens in Texas. While it does not address wider immigration challenges, it promotes decisive action for immigration reform. We need a bipartisan comprehensive immigration approach to solve the challenges at our border and ensure that DREAMers and noncitizens spouses of U.S. citizens have a place in the nation that they love.”
The first executive action will make it easier for noncitizen spouses married to and children of U.S. citizens to become permanent residents. Spouses who meet the requirements will be afforded a three-year period to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country. They will also be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. An estimated 6,000 undocumented individuals in TX-28 who are married to U.S. citizens could potentially benefit from this action. Most of the individuals who are eligible for this process have lived in the United States for an average of 23 years.
The second action will streamline the process for college graduates to receive work visas. The executive action will allow DACA recipients and other DREAMers who have a college degree and a job offer from a high-skilled, U.S.-based company to more easily receive work visas.
