No, executive order didn't grant citizenship to a million immigrants | Fact check

The claim: Biden executive order granted citizenship to 1 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally

A June 18 Facebook post (direct link, archive link) claims an executive order changed the legal status of many people in the U.S. illegally.

"Biden just gave citizenship to 1 MILLION illegal aliens by Executive Order – an ILLEGAL ACT that violates the Constitution's Separation of Powers," reads the post. "If this is allowed we do not have a Republic of laws, we have a DICTATORSHIP. If this is allowed, our Republic is DEAD."

The post was shared more than 90 times in three weeks.

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Our rating: False

No executive order signed by President Joe Biden grants citizenship to a million immigrants in the U.S. illegally. However, he did sign an order that grants qualifying spouses and children of U.S. citizens the ability to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.

Biden's order eases green card process, but doesn't grant citizenship

Biden announced an executive order on June 18 to allow about half a million spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have been living in the U.S. without authorization for more than a decade to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country, as USA TODAY previously reported.

But Biden's executive order doesn't grant citizenship to anyone. Instead, it makes spouses and children of citizens eligible to apply for permanent residency – also known as a green card – without having to leave the country. Those who qualify will be given three years to apply for permanent residency and can work during that time.

Under the current system, immigrants in the U.S. illegally who apply for a green card may be required to return to their home country while their application is processed from a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Fact check: No, executive order doesn't provide free health insurance to Hispanics in 2024

The White House estimated Biden's executive order would apply to about 500,000 spouses of citizens, along with about 50,000 noncitizen children under 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen. The application process is expected to open by the end of the summer.

The most common path to U.S. citizenship is through a process called naturalization, which typically involves a person who has been a permanent resident for at least five years and meets other eligibility requirements, according to Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The Facebook user did not provide evidence to support the claim when contacted by USA TODAY.

Reuters also debunked the claim.

Our fact-check sources:

• The White House, June 18, FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Keep Families Together
• USA TODAY, June 18, President Biden speeds up green card process for spouses, children of US citizens
• USA TODAY, June 24, Biden's executive order will benefit 500K undocumented immigrants. Here's how
• Citizenship and Immigration Services, accessed July 8, I am a Lawful Permanent Resident of 5 Years

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