A Path to Reunification: Biden's New Immigration Policy

The Biden administration has introduced a new policy allowing 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens to gain legal status without leaving the country. However, this has left many, like Karen Chavarria, who returned to their home countries, feeling despair. The policy is designed to reduce fear and uncertainty for families but leaves some critical questions unanswered.

As registration opened on Monday for an estimated 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens to gain legal status without having to first leave the country, Karen and Xavier Chavarria had nothing to celebrate.

Like many others, Karen left the United States voluntarily—for Nicaragua—planning to accumulate enough time away to reenter and reunite with her husband, Xavier, on a path to citizenship.

Joe Biden's offer of a path to citizenship without having to first leave the country for up to 10 years marks one of the most significant presidential orders to ease immigration since 2012's DACA program.

(With inputs from agencies.)