US opens citizenship programme for migrant spouses, but some still left out

To be eligible, spouses must have lived in the United States continuously for 10 years as of June 17, 2024, and been married by then. The Biden administration estimates 500,000 spouses could benefit, plus 50,000 stepchildren of US citizens.

Karen Chavarria returned to Nicaragua in 2017 and reported to a US consulate for an interview as part of her petition to reunite with her husband in the United States. She crossed the border from Mexico in 2002 and applied for legal status after marrying Xavier, 57, who works a building maintenance job in New York and lives in Garfield, New Jersey. They have two children, both US citizens.

Xavier travels at least twice a year to see Karen, 41, and their 12-year-old son, who live in Jinotega, north of Nicaragua’s capital city of Managua. Xavier said he can’t live in Nicaragua because he can’t find work there, lacks treatment options for diabetes and fears for his safety because his family has been in the political opposition there for years. Their 20-year-old daughter lives in the US.

Karen has missed big moments, including her daughter’s high school graduation and birthdays. The Biden administration’s offer to spouses who chose to remain in the US filled her with despair.

“It is something that we have been fighting for and after so much struggle, to get here without giving ourselves any hope, she said while crying in a video interview from Nicaragua.

It is unclear how many spouses left the US voluntarily. But Eric Lee, an immigration attorney with offices in Michigan and California, said it is a massive number. Immigrants and advocacy groups have urged the White House to include them in the new policy.

The only reason why so many are being punished is because they tried to step out of the shadow, they tried to follow the law, Lee said.

Homeland Security did not respond to questions about whether people who left the country voluntarily will qualify, saying only that they “may be eligible for continued processing abroad”.

The department said on Monday that 64 per cent of potential beneficiaries are from Mexico and 20 per cent are from Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. They become eligible to remain in the United States for three years under presidential authority known as parole for a USD 580 fee, which includes ability to apply for work authorisation, a green card and, eventually, citizenship.

People deemed national security or public safety threats and those convicted of what are considered serious crimes, including felonies for driving under the influence, are disqualified, as are those found to belong to a gang.

Juan Enrique Sauceda 47, is biding time in Piedras Negras, Mexico, across the border from Eagle Pass, Texas. He was deported in 2019 while married to a US citizen and applied to reenter. His wife and two children live in Houston.

I want to return to the United States because I grew up there, I have my wife, my children, everything, Saucedo said. I don’t fit in here.

First Published: Aug 19 2024 | 11:41 PM IST