Path to citizenship

In the United States, a path (or pathway) to citizenship is proposed immigration reform providing a process whereby illegal immigrants can become citizens.[1]

Obama administration

During his 2008 presidential campaign, Barack Obama promised to support a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants, whereby such immigrants, if they were in good standing, could pay a fine in return for gaining the opportunity to become citizens.[2] In 2013, Obama called on Congress to include a path to citizenship in any immigration reform bill it passed.[3] The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013, passed by the United States Senate on June 27, 2013, would create a 13-year path to citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants, a path that would require them to pass several security checks before they can get a green card.[4]

Trump administration

In 2018, president Donald Trump proposed a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million undocumented immigrants who had arrived as children in exchange for $25 billion in funds to build a border wall.[5] The deal was not successful.[6]

Biden administration

Biden introduced the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 on his first day in office. Lobbying for the bill in the United States Senate was led by Sen. Bob Menendez, who indicated gathering the necessary 10 Republican votes to overcome a Senate filibuster would be a 'herculean' challenge.[7][8]

Public opinion

Multiple polls conducted during Obama's presidency have found that a large majority of Americans support a path to citizenship, but with stronger support among Democrats than among Republicans.[9][10][11]

A poll conducted in February 2017 found that 87% of Democrats and 69% of Republicans supported a path to citizenship, as did 72% of President Donald Trump's supporters.[12]

Polling conducted in June 2024 found that 56% of Joe Biden supporters and 15% of Trump supporters supported a pathway to citizenship.[13]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Should Undocumented Immigrants Get a 'Path to Citizenship'?". The New York Times Upfront. January 11, 2016.
  2. ^ Sherman, Amy (January 11, 2016). "Provide a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants". The Obameter. Politifact. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  3. ^ Nakamura, David (July 16, 2013). "Obama pushes for path to citizenship in immigration bill". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  4. ^ Kim, Seung Min (June 27, 2013). "Senate passes immigration bill". Politico. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
  5. ^ Miller, Zeke; Colvin, Jill; Fram, Alan (January 26, 2018). "Trump plan offers citizenship path to 1.8 million immigrants". Associated Press News. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  6. ^ "Trump proposed a 'Dreamer' pathway to citizenship — Democrats said 'no'". The Hill. September 20, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  7. ^ DeChalus, Camila (January 22, 2021). "Menendez: Passing immigration bill has 'herculean' challenges". Roll Call. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Jaffe, Alexandra (April 20, 2021). "Path to citizenship in new Democratic immigration bill". Associated Press. Retrieved October 16, 2024.
  9. ^ Jones, Jeffrey M. (August 12, 2015). "In U.S., 65% Favor Path to Citizenship for Illegal Immigrants". Gallup. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Kellman, Laurie (December 17, 2015). "Poll says most Americans favor a path to citizenship". PBS Newshour. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  11. ^ Bernal, Rafael (March 29, 2016). "Poll: Majority of Republicans support path to citizenship". The Hill. Retrieved June 19, 2016.
  12. ^ Cockerham, Sean (February 28, 2017). "Even most Trump backers want a path to citizenship for immigrants here illegally".
  13. ^ Nadeem, Reem (June 6, 2024). "2. Immigration attitudes and the 2024 election". Pew Research Center. Retrieved July 22, 2024.


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