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Over the last few decades, the number of undocumented people living in the U.S. have increased. That has led many people to ask:
Why Are There So Many Undocumented People Living in the U.S. for Such a Long Time?
That question frequently arises in discussions about immigrants who have been in the United States for many years but do not hold legal status. The answer, while complex, is in part because many undocumented people have built families, worked hard, paid billions of dollars in taxes, and found various ways to contribute to this country over the years. Many hoped that by doing these things, and establishing themselves as people of good moral character, they would one day be eligible for some form or relief.
Some undocumented people entered the U.S. without status or fell out of legal status over time. While many eventually found employers or married spouses who successfully sponsored them for permanent resident status, others failed to find any legitimate means to legalize their status. In the past, many people who remained in the U.S. for a long time without status have found relief through amnesty programs that provided pathways for certain undocumented immigrants.
What Is Amnesty?
Immigration amnesty is a type of pardon that a government can grant to certain groups or individuals who are not in legal status. It opens a pathway for undocumented immigrants the ability to gain legal status in the U.S, without fear of deportation based on their past lack of status. These immigrants must still meet certain criteria, such as being in the country before a designated date, and having good moral character.
Has There Been Amnesty in the U.S.?
The granting of amnesty to certain people living in the U.S. for a long time has been controversial, and some presidents have pushed for it while others opposed it. President Ronald Reagon had implemented an amnesty program in 1986, which granted legal status to nearly 3 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S. since 1982. While President George W. Bush issued an executive order to provide some families with relief from deportation, he did not create any amnesty programs as part of comprehensive immigration reform. President Barack Obama also launched the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects certain immigrants from deportation without granting an actual pathway to legalizing their status.
Will There Be a New Amnesty Program?
Under the current administration, there is no plan for a new amnesty program in the U.S. Undocumented people who have been in the U.S. for a long time still have limited means of legalizing their status, and the various restrictions can leave them without options indefinitely. Even though a record number of undocumented people are now facing mass deportation, many still hold on to hope that one day a new administration may introduce legislation creating a new amnesty program that would benefit them.
If you believe you may qualify for an immigration benefit, or if you have questions regarding another immigration matter, contact U.S. Immigration Law Counsel for a strategy session to discuss your case.
