During the very day of his presidency, Joe Biden announced that ensuring legal status for immigrants to the United States is a priority of his administration. He stated that he intended to ask Congress to extend residency protections to many immigrants currently residing in the US.
By providing this legal protection to an estimated 11 million immigrants currently living and working in the US without legal documentation, the administration intends to push back against many of the previous administration’s immigration restrictions. If you have legal questions about your current immigration case, it’s best to understand what the new administration’s policies might hold for your case.
Pathway to Residency
Many Biden administration supporters applaud this effort to extend permanent residency and citizens to people who have lived and worked in the United States peacefully for years. Some policies the administration intends to implement are:
- -Restoration of benefits provided to recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
- -Expedited assistance for asylum seekers in the United States who have fled dangerous conditions in their home countries.
- -Expanded benefits to undocumented individuals and families, aiming to implement these changes within the next few months.
These are only a few of the immigration policy reformations that the Biden administration intends to implement.
How to Navigate the Immigration Process Successfully
Currently, the United States immigration authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the border patrol, and United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), are contending with multiple issues related to the flow of new immigrants into the country. ICE and border patrol authorities aim to prevent foreign residents with criminal histories from entering the country. The coronavirus pandemic has many Americans across the political spectrum concerned about unchecked immigration and its potential health impact.
It is unclear how the new administration will proceed with its plans to implement its immigration agenda in light of the clear health risks that increased immigration would likely pose to US communities. However, individuals and families who have already been embroiled in the US immigration process for years should know the best practices they can follow to handle these situations as fluently as possible:
- –Retain copies of all your immigration-related documentation. If USCIS loses your paperwork, the copies you keep can prevent unnecessary delays in handling your process.
- –Never break the law while under a visa. While you are awaiting your visa approval, a criminal conviction of any kind can have dramatic consequences, including imprisonment or deportation.
- –Arrive on time for all immigration-related appointments. If you have a meeting with the USCIS, make sure you arrive on time with all the materials you need for the meeting. Missing a meeting can cause a delay in handling your case or may even result in deportation, depending on the nature of the meeting you missed.
- –Hire an immigration attorney. Having reliable legal representation on your side during the immigration process is an invaluable asset. Your legal team can help you address sudden complications you experience with your case and provide peace of mind as you navigate the complex process.
Following these best practices is wise no matter what new policies the Biden administration intends to implement in the future.
Why Do I Need an Immigration Lawyer?
The immigration process in the United States is notoriously complex. Whether you intend to apply for a work visa, green card, or want to become a US citizen, you will likely need to interact with various government entities at the local, state, and federal levels. Navigating these interactions can be very difficult and time-consuming. Investing in legal counsel from an experienced immigration attorney can streamline your experience significantly.
While the Biden administration intends to relax many Trump-era policies that restricted immigration, and the coronavirus continues to pose a serious health risk to all, it is likely that any immigrant will face legal complications and delays in the process for the time being. You can protect yourself and your loved ones by securing legal representation from an experienced immigration attorney as soon as possible.
At the Law Offices of Robert Tsigler, PLLC, we have extensive experience handling the most challenging immigration cases and understand the frustrations that many people experience at the various phases of the immigration process. Whether you have encountered unnecessary delays in processing your immigration paperwork or a more severe immigration issue that could potentially result in fines, imprisonment, or deportation, you can rely on us to guide you through the situation with confidence. Contact us today for more details about the legal services we can provide.
