A New Path to Citizenship: Biden Administration's Bold Move

Miguel Aleman, who arrived in the U.S. from Mexico as a child, is among many immigrants hoping for a path to citizenship through the Biden administration's Keeping Families Together program. This initiative aims to provide legal status to long-term U.S. residents, creating significant political debate ahead of the upcoming elections.

Miguel Aleman, a 39-year-old immigrant brought to the United States from Mexico at age 4, represents hundreds of thousands hoping to gain citizenship through a new Biden administration program launched on Monday. This initiative is a major step by President Joe Biden to grant legal status to longtime U.S. residents who entered the country illegally.

Without this program, Aleman, who has two young children with his U.S.-citizen wife and works as an Uber driver, might have to relocate to Mexico for a decade or longer before reentering legally. Aleman is one of many immigrants attending information sessions about the program, organized by advocacy groups like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles.

The initiative, known as Keeping Families Together and announced in June, will be open to around 500,000 spouses in the United States for at least 10 years and 50,000 children under 21 with a U.S.-citizen parent. The program is expected to face legal challenges, particularly from Republicans, and could benefit those enrolled in the DACA program, started by President Obama. Despite political hurdles, the program offers hope to many like Aleman who seek to contribute permanently to American society.

(With inputs from agencies.)