WASHINGTON --
The Obama administration is proposing a change in its immigration policy that could allow up to 1 million illegal immigrants to stay in the U.S. while they apply for permanent resident status.
They must have immediate family members who are U.S. citizens and they must demonstrate that separation from a citizen spouse or parent would cause extreme hardship to that relative.
Under current law, illegal immigrants must leave the country while they apply for a visa, which often leads to long family separations.
There will be a three month period for public comment on the proposed policy.