US Opens Citizenship Path for Noncitizen Spouses

The Biden administration has launched a significant new program aimed at providing legal status to an estimated 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens, allowing them to apply for citizenship without leaving the country. Eligible individuals must have lived in the U.S. continuously for at least 10 years by June 17, 2024, and been married to a U.S. citizen. However, many, like Karen Chavarria, who voluntarily left the U.S. for Nicaragua, face challenges due to the strict eligibility criteria. The initiative is part of the Keeping Families Together program, which aims to alleviate the uncertainty faced by noncitizen spouses and promote family unity and economic stability. Critics argue that those who do not meet the criteria continue to face tough choices, remaining in the U.S. without legal status or leaving the country for years. The program, announced just before the upcoming elections, seeks to counteract Republican narratives on immigration and is seen as one of Biden's major efforts to reform immigration policies.