In a drastic change from the past several years, President-Elect Biden has announced that on Day 1, January 20, 2021, he will propose his immigration reform plan to Congress.

According to the Washington Post, “the centerpiece of the plan from Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris is the eight-year pathway, which would put millions of qualifying immigrants in a temporary status for five years and then grant them a green card once they meet certain requirements such as a background check and payment of taxes. They would be able to apply for citizenship three years later.” Moreover, those in DACA or TPS status may apply for a green card “immediately.”

To be eligible, once must be present in the United States on January 1, 2021.

The key problem in any immigration overhaul has been the Republican Party. It has stymied any major legislation from moving forward for over a decade. In the Senate, Biden would need 10 Republican Senators to agree and vote for his plan to overhaul the immigration system. That will be a tall order, given how far right the party has moved over the past 4 years. The party has limited not only illegal but legal immigration. Perhaps Biden knows this and so is “asking for the farm” in order to get some reform for 3,000,000 DREAMERS in the end. We will see how it goes, but it is welcome language to hear the words immigration and “priority” and “reform” all the same sentence! Any questions about immigration reform, please call Colorado lawyer Catherine Brown at 303-322-2117.