180,000 Illegal Korean Immigrants in the U.S. May Receive Legal Status

180,000 Illegal Korean Immigrants in the U.S. May Receive Legal Status. January. 07, 2004 23:08. by Jung-Ahn Kim credo@donga.com.

On January 7, the White House unveiled its proposal to reform its immigration law. The proposal increased the possibility of an estimated 180,000 illegal Korean immigrants in the U.S. to receive legal status. The proposal allows illegal immigrants with work experience to apply for a temporary working visa and permits them to apply for a green card which grants permanent residency.

However, it is unclear how many illegal workers may actually receive legal status because they have to pass a screening procedure even if they are eligible to apply for a green card or a temporary working visa.

The former Clinton administration enacted a provision, known as section 245i, to restore the status of illegal workers and permit their stay in the U.S. while waiting for green cards. However, since the 9/11 terrorist attack, the Bush administration has maintained stringent policy against illegal immigrants by delaying its plan to set up a green card application period.

The Korean government estimates about 180,000 out of the 2.3 million Koreans in the U.S. are illegal immigrants, but some say the number may exceed 500,000.