Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) Request President Biden to extend Documented Dreamers and Spouses of Backlogged Green Card Applicants Work Permit and GC Relief Similar to Newly Announced Immigration Relief to Undocumented Spouses and Dreamers

Washington DC, 19th June, 2024
Contact: Khanderao khanderao@fiids-usa.org

http://www.fiids-usa.org/immigration-gc-changes/

On June 18th, President Biden announced that undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. for 10 or more years can apply for expedited citizenship. Additionally, undocumented children with college education will be eligible for immediate work visas and future legal residency. We recognize President Biden’s commitment to keeping American families together and his intentions to promote family unity and strengthen the economy.

On this important initiative, we regretfully bring to attention that this announcement missed an opportunity to include hundreds of thousands of spouses of legal, tax-paying, contributing immigrants who are stuck in long green card waits due to the 7% country-wise quota. Their U.S.-educated children are becoming out of status at 21. They too have dreams; they are dreamers too. Just because they are legal, they shouldn’t be excluded from such measures.

We respectfully request extending this compassionate offer to consider families of documented immigrants who are waiting for green card (backlogs). 

1. Enable EAD to their children upon college degree or completion of age 21, whichever earlier. 

2. ⁠Spouses of backlogged immigrants waiting for 10+ years enable them to obtain EAD if they don’t have it.

3. ⁠Enable them to file green card independent of the employment-based green card application of their spouses, so that they won’t be blocked by their spouses GC which is blocked by 7% country wise quote for employment-based GC.

We believe this will keep families together and enable them to contribute to the US economy with their full potential.