A law that will help the spouses of illegal immigrants get residency
April 23, 2001 - A law enacted in the last days of the Clinton Administration has sent many illegal immigrants in Minnesota rushing to apply for permanent residency. Between now and April 30, the law grants permanent residency to people who entered the country illegally. People who have overstayed their period of admission in the U S may also be eligible. Minnesota Public Radio's Leticia (Le-tee-see-uh) Gonzales The Legal Immigration and Family Equity Act or the LIFE Act is not a general amnesty. But it is designed to keep immigrant families intact. It temporarily extends visas to spouses and children and allows some illegal immigrants a chance to seek citizenship without returning to their home countries. The LIFE Act would make it possible for 20-year-old Anna Jauregui (How-duh-hee) of St. Paul to remain in the United States with her husband and two children. Jauregui (How-duh-hee) is an illegal immigrant married to a U S citizen.