Biden's Plans for US Immigration (Big Changes)

[Captain Ewok 1,891]

When Joe Biden takes office in January, he has pledged to reverse many of Trump's  controversial immigration policies from the last 4 years.  Here are a few key items that Joe Biden plans to change:

 

Merit-based/Family-based Immigration and Diversity Visa

 

Biden disagrees with Trump's position of creating a merit-based family immigration system.  Biden would instead "expand" family based immigration to the US.  He would allow any approved family visa beneficiary, whose green card is not yet available due to the annual country cap, to receive a temporary visa and enter the U.S. until a permanent visa (“green card”) becomes available.

 

In addition, Biden would support legislation that: 

 

1. Expands the definition of “immediate relative” beyond spouses; minor, unmarried children; and parents of U.S. citizens to add spouses and children of green card holders, exempting them from caps; and 
2. Allows parents to bring their minor children with them at the time they immigrate into the U.S.

 

Biden would also continue the Diversity Visa program, stating it brings needed diversity.

 

"Dreamers" and Pathways to Citizenship

 

Biden believes that Dreamers and their parents should have a roadmap to citizenship through legislative immigration reform. When he enters office he  will remove the uncertainty for Dreamers by reinstating the DACA program, and he will explore all legal options to protect their families from inhumane separation.

 

Public Charge

 

Biden would reverse Trump’s public charge rule. He believes the rule runs counter to American values and the history of the nation.

 

Reversing Travel Bans

 

On Day One of his presidency, Biden intends to rescind Trump’s travel bans on travelers from 13 countries, most of them either majority-Muslim or African nations.

 

Skilled Workers

 

Biden supports reform of the H1-B system including increased alignment to the current workforce.  Once reform is complete, he plans to expands the number of high-skilled visas.

 

Refugees

 

Biden supports raising the annual allotment of refugee admissions to 125 thousand from around 15 thousand under President Trump.

 

Mexico Border Wall

 

Biden plans to immediately stop diversion of US Defense funds for the border wall, effectively stopping its expansion.  Trump will immediately prioritize reunification of "lost" children from asylum camps with their parents.

 

 

sources: 
https://joebiden.com/immigration/
https://www.heritage.org/immigration/report/president-trump-and-joe-biden-comparing-immigration-policies
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-immigration-biden-factbox/factbox-here-are-six-things-joe-biden-will-likely-do-on-immigration-idUSKBN27O00R

 

[JeanneAdil 6,491]

I was interested in what this all means for those who were denied a visa (and now wait to hear if embassy is granting a  waiver)

Will these applications go forth now or will they require new applications ?

this year's DV lottery makes the person need a passport (did not require this in past years) / that being said,  it is hard for many to apply for a passport in these times and limits many.  i wonder if this will change in the future.

And what of the DACA people that have already had court dates?   will they be reconsidered?

 

any thoughts on any of all that will happen because of the changes? Politics aside / just the proceedures that may take place

[Boiler 45,466]

2 minutes ago, JeanneAdil said:

I was interested in what this all means for those who were denied a visa (and now wait to hear if embassy is granting a  waiver)

Will these applications go forth now or will they require new applications ?

this year's DV lottery makes the person need a passport (did not require this in past years) / that being said,  it is hard for many to apply for a passport in these times and limits many.  i wonder if this will change in the future.

And what of the DACA people that have already had court dates?   will they be reconsidered?

 

any thoughts on any of all that will happen because of the changes? Politics aside / just the procedures that may take place

We do have the 8 years he was VP to use as a guide.

[Daisy.Chain 317]

This is all theoretical, I understand, but am I reading correctly under the expanded family-based immigration that a sibling of a USC, once approved (a year-ish?) could come to the US witha tempirary visa and avoid the 15-yr+ wait (more for other countries)?

[Boiler 45,466]

1 hour ago, Daisy.Chain said:

This is all theoretical, I understand, but am I reading correctly under the expanded family-based immigration that a sibling of a USC, once approved (a year-ish?) could come to the US witha tempirary visa and avoid the 15-yr+ wait (more for other countries)?

Do you have a link for that?

[Duke & Marie 1,389]

There’s an awful lot of approved I-130 petitions out there without gc issuance (millions) .... that’s a massive influx of migrants with no public charge rules attached... some people have severely petitions pending gc how the heck petitioners meant to financially support them in them while waiting gc..... EAD? Lots of completion for jobs at a time when many Americans hurting 

Edited November 8, 2020 by Duke & Marie

[Dashinka 24,487]

Won’t Joe need help from the Congress for some of this stuff?  For instance, I am not sure he can create a citizenship path for DACAs by EO.  Also it is unclear what is meant by a temporary visa for someone with an approved I130 awaiting a FB visa spot to open.  Would this simply be a B2 or a new visa class allowing the family member to stay until a FB visa becomes available.

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1 hour ago, Duke & Marie said:

There’s an awful lot of approved I-130 petitions out there without gc issuance (millions) .... that’s a massive influx of migrants with no public charge rules attached... some people have severely petitions pending gc how the heck petitioners meant to financially support them in them while waiting gc..... EAD? Lots of completion for jobs at a time when many Americans hurting 

I’m thinking the I864 will still be required- it’s the new forms that were implemented this year that won’t be required (this is my interpretation)

Edited November 8, 2020 by Luckycuds

[Daisy.Chain 317]

2 hours ago, Boiler said:

Do you have a link for that?

It is in the second paragraph of the original post by Captian Ewok above. (Sorry, my phone isn't letting me copy it)

[Lucky2Lucky 2,526]

1 hour ago, Dashinka said:

Won’t Joe need help from the Congress for some of this stuff?  For instance, I am not sure he can create a citizenship path for DACAs by EO.  Also it is unclear what is meant by a temporary visa for someone with an approved I130 awaiting a FB visa spot to open.  Would this simply be a B2 or a new visa class allowing the family member to stay until a FB visa becomes available.

Presidents can issue executive orders (look at all trump did) but of course somethings will need to go through Congress. Just because these are his plans doesn’t mean it will all happen; it’s his platform. I mean look at all Trump promised 4 years ago compared to what he accomplished. (Not to mention all presidents) Checks and balances.

[Visitor User 253]

What about the wait time from 5 to 3 years on qualifying for USC?

[AC&MH 70]

While these things sound good...they amount to window dressing when the core issue remains that USCIS fails in conducting the most basic functions of thier mission each and every day.

 

 

[Daisy.Chain 317]

2 hours ago, Duke & Marie said:

There’s an awful lot of approved I-130 petitions out there without gc issuance (millions) .... that’s a massive influx of migrants with no public charge rules attached... some people have severely petitions pending gc how the heck petitioners meant to financially support them in them while waiting gc..... EAD? Lots of completion for jobs at a time when many Americans hurting 

My thoughts exactly, though i'd like my BIL to be able to come as much as anyone. Maybe they want the immigration influx to naturalize for the votes, not caring what an unprecedented influx of that size does to the US.

 

But this is all pretry early.. it's easy to SAY something's going to happen.

Edited November 9, 2020 by Daisy.Chain

[MovingToFlorida 71]

This doesn't mention anything about the current immigration ban Trump put on for certain visa types till the end of this year. Such as F3 family Visa's which is adult children of US citizens. We had our interview scheduled 5 days before they shut everything down cause of the pandemic and our consulate (in Montreal Canada) hasn't been able to reschedule it until this ban is lifted. 

 

Again the ban ends at the end of December but do we know if Biden intends to extend it longer? (Initially the ban was only for a few months but Trump extended it till the end of the year).

 

We are hopeful he won't extend it and we can finally have our interview rescheduled and move next year. 

[Immigirl22 8]

2 minutes ago, MovingToFlorida said:

This doesn't mention anything about the current immigration ban Trump put on for certain visa types till the end of this year. Such as F3 family Visa's which is adult children of US citizens. We had our interview scheduled 5 days before they shut everything down cause of the pandemic and our consulate (in Montreal Canada) hasn't been able to reschedule it until this ban is lifted. 

 

Again the ban ends at the end of December but do we know if Biden intends to extend it longer? (Initially the ban was only for a few months but Trump extended it till the end of the year).

 

We are hopeful he won't extend it and we can finally have our interview rescheduled and move next year. 

We are on the same page! I am also waiting to know if the Executive order will end by December 31, 2020.