To relieve pressure on the flow of immigrants coming through the U.S.-Mexico border, the Biden administration launched a new immigration program. But it has a drawback.
The new program allows eligible immigrants from Columbia, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to fly to the U.S. to earn government work permits. Applicants must have relatives who are U.S. citizens or legal residents of the country who filed visa applications on behalf of the applicants.
Led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the new program began on July 10. Officials advertised that the program helps immigration applicants avoid the backlogged visa system. They also said that over 70,000 individuals could qualify for the program.
But one big catch to this new program is that those caught illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border or trying to get into America by sea are disqualified from applying.
This program also interacts with a regulation passed previously in May. Said regulation prevents immigrants from requesting asylum if they enter the U.S. illegally without seeking protection from another country first.
Disqualified, but not out
The new program would be perfect for you if you’re a U.S. citizen and have a relative from any of the four countries interested in working in America.
But if your relative was caught trying to cross the border illegally, consider consulting with a legal professional experienced in immigration law. An attorney can try to find a way to waive your relative’s inadmissibility or help explore other immigration options.