Wall Street Journal (01/07/12) Jordan, Miriam

The Obama administration on Jan. 7 announced it will make it easier for illegal immigrants who are related to a U.S. citizen to seek legal U.S. residency, a rule change that could affect thousands of illegal immigrants who might qualify for a green card but have not applied because they feared either not being allowed back into the U.S. or a lengthy separation from family. Currently, an illegal immigrant must apply for and receive a legal visa from his or her country of origin to rejoin a spouse or child in the U.S., a process that can take years. The rule modification will enable the immigrant to remain in the U.S. for much of the process.