In the United States, up to half a million illegal immigrants can obtain a residence permit and, with it, citizenship. The White House said on Tuesday that such an opportunity opens up to those who have lived in the country for at least ten years and are married to a US citizen.
If the application of an immigrant who meets the eligibility requirements is accepted, he has three years to apply for a permanent residence permit and obtain a temporary work permit. During this time, he would be protected from deportation.
About 50,000 children whose parent is married to a US citizen could also enter the same process.
There is no minimum time for the period of marriage in the new act, but the 10 years in the country must be completed by Monday. That means immigrants who reach that 10-year mark after Monday will not be eligible for the program.
Administration officials said they expect the process to be open for applications by the end of the summer.
Source: AP