President Joe Biden has unveiled a new policy aimed at protecting hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens from deportation. This policy comes amidst ongoing challenges with immigration, an issue that has been particularly contentious during this election year.
Key Details of the New Policy:
- Eligibility:
- The policy applies to undocumented spouses who have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years.
- Those eligible must have been married to a U.S. citizen by June 17.
- More than 500,000 spouses are expected to qualify.
- Benefits:
- Eligible individuals will receive a three-year work permit.
- They will be able to apply for permanent residency within three years.
- This policy will also benefit around 50,000 young people under 21, whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.
- Parole in Place:
- This aspect of the policy allows undocumented individuals to remain in the U.S. while their immigration status is adjusted.
- This change prevents families from being separated when one spouse needs to leave the country to apply for legal status.
- Implementation:
- The application process is expected to open by the end of summer.
- On average, those eligible have been in the U.S. for 23 years, with many originating from Mexico.
Broader Context and Reactions:
- The policy announcement coincided with the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which protects over 530,000 individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children from deportation.
- President Biden emphasized the need to make the immigration system fairer and more just, benefiting not only immigrants and their families but all Americans.
- In a broader immigration reform effort, the Biden administration is also planning to expedite the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants with U.S. degrees or job offers in their field, including Dreamers.
Criticisms and Legal Challenges:
- Organizations advocating for stricter immigration controls, such as NumbersUSA, have criticized the policy. James Massa, the CEO of NumbersUSA, accused President Biden of overreaching his executive authority and circumventing Congress.
- Legal challenges are expected, particularly from Republican-led states, which have previously sued the administration over other immigration policies.
Significance:
- This new policy marks the largest government program for undocumented immigrants since the Obama administration’s DACA initiative.
- By allowing beneficiaries to stay in the U.S. while adjusting their status, the policy eliminates the need for many families to endure separation.
- The White House believes the policy has widespread support among the American public, despite opposition from some political groups.
President Biden’s new policy provides significant relief for undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, offering a pathway to legal work status and eventual citizenship while attempting to address longstanding issues in the U.S. immigration system.
