US Citizenship Act Q&A

Q&A: A new immigration bill is before Congress. We answer 5 questions about what it does.

Does the bill create open borders? No. The border rules are the same. The bill proposes smart technology to catch more illegal border-crossers. Does the bill make everyone legal? No. People who break the rules will still face the same penalties. People who obey the law will have a clearer path to either green cards or citizenship.

Does everyone get a path to citizenship? Eligible people must prove they will be good citizens over a 6-10 year process. They must pass several background checks, keep a clean criminal record and pay taxes on time. Will the bill raise the number of legal immigrants admitted into the country? No. Legal limits on the number of immigrants we accept are the same.

If people are treated humanely at the border - does that encourage more illegal immigration? Maybe. This is a complex issue. As a country, we must respect basic human rights. That said – we also need sustainable border policies. In addition to sorting out a lot of complicated and inconsistent laws and bureaucracy, the bill attempts to address root causes of migration by working with countries in crisis.

Reality Team
March 26, 2021

Q1: Does the bill create open borders?

A: No. The border rules are the same. The bill proposes smart technology to catch more illegal border-crossers.

Q2: Does the bill make everyone legal?

A: No. People who break the rules will still face the same penalties. People who obey the law will have a clearer path to either green cards or citizenship.

Q3: Does everyone get a path to citizenship?

A: Eligible people must prove they will be good citizens over a 6-10 year process. They must pass several background checks, keep a clean criminal record and pay taxes on time.

Q4: Will the bill raise the number of legal immigrants admitted into the country?

A: No. Legal limits on the number of immigrants we accept are the same.

Q5: If people are treated humanely at the border - does that encourage more illegal immigration?

A: Maybe. This is a complex issue. As a country, we must respect basic human rights. That said – we also need sustainable border policies. In addition to sorting out a lot of complicated and inconsistent laws and bureaucracy, the bill attempts to address root causes of migration by working with countries in crisis.

References

Analysis: https://bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/u-s-citizenship-act-of-2021/

The American Immigration Lawyers Association: Summary of the US Citizenship Act (32 pages)

The American Immigration Lawyers Association: S.B. 348 Full Text (353 pages)

The White House: Fact Sheet: President Biden Sends Immigration Bill to Congress as Part of His Commitment to Modernize our Immigration System

US House Resolution 1177

US Senate Bill 348

See an error in our work? Please let us know and include the source of your info. We’ll update or correct as appropriate.