Cubans with I220-A are excluded from the plan to legalize half a million immigrants in the U.S.

Following the announcement last Tuesday of a new program from President Joe Biden's administration that will allow for the regularization of spouses of U.S. citizens, local university graduates, and individuals who entered the country as children, new questions arise for Cubans in the United States.

According to the lawyer Ángel Leal, who specializes in immigration matters, as he stated, "individuals who have been in the country for over ten years, as well as the children under 21 years old of the undocumented spouse of the American citizen, qualify."

In an interview with Martí Noticias, this lawyer described the options for those with I-220A status as limited, noting that "it more or less started about two or three years ago."

"If you are the spouse of a husband or wife who is a U.S. citizen and have been in the country for over ten years, with everything in place by no later than June 17, 2024, you will be able to apply for this parole, which will be granted for three years. This will allow you to apply for a work permit, and you will then have that three-year period to apply for residency," clarified the expert in the interview with Cuban-American journalist Mario J. Pentón.

Regarding those with I220A status, he mentioned that "it is important to understand that the majority of people in this situation have been unable to adjust to residency because they did not enter the country legally."

In announcing these actions through a statement, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that they aim to "promote family unity in the immigration process, consistent with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to keeping families together."

According to government figures, nearly 50,000 stepchildren of U.S. citizens will be able to benefit from the new regulations, in addition to half a million migrants who will have a three-year period to apply for permanent residency once authorities review their cases and approve their applications.

During that period, they can stay in the U.S., apply for a work permit of up to three years, receive their "Green Card," and even apply for citizenship.