In May 1990, the group was granted tourist status and visas that permitted them to work. In 1992, the Congressional Black Caucus of the United States Congress intervened, leading to an agreement that the Black Hebrews would be granted temporary residence if they held off on receiving new members. At the end of 2003, the group was granted permanent residency status by the Israeli Interior Ministry. It is believed that in 2009, Elyakim Ben-Israel became the first Black Hebrew to receive Israeli citizenship without converting to Judaism or marrying an Israeli. The Israeli government said that more Black Hebrews may be granted citizenship.