Washington, United States – President Joe Biden is set to announce a groundbreaking policy that will provide protection to hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens, shielding them from deportation. The new initiative will benefit individuals who have resided in the country for a minimum of 10 years, allowing them to work legally in the US. This move represents the most significant relief program for undocumented migrants in the US since the Obama administration introduced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) in 2012.
According to the White House, over 500,000 spouses of US citizens are expected to benefit from this policy, along with 50,000 young individuals under the age of 21 whose parents are married to American citizens. This announcement comes as President Biden aims to make the US immigration system more fair and just, recognizing the importance of addressing the concerns of voters in the upcoming presidential election.
The White House plans to streamline the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants who have obtained degrees from US universities or have received job offers in their respective fields, including Dreamers. This initiative follows closely on the heels of a recent executive order issued by President Biden, allowing for the swift removal of migrants entering the US illegally without processing their asylum requests once daily thresholds at the border are exceeded.
While the new policy has garnered support from some quarters, there has also been criticism. NumbersUSA, an immigration reform group, has condemned the move as “unconscionable,” emphasizing concerns about the potential impact of granting amnesty to those who enter the country illegally. In contrast, advocates like Alex Cuic, an immigration lawyer and professor, view this action as a positive step towards addressing the challenges faced by undocumented immigrants in normalizing their status in the US.
With the application process set to open by the end of summer, the new policy marks a significant milestone in President Biden’s efforts to reform the US immigration system. By allowing eligible individuals to remain in the US during the process of changing their status, the initiative aims to minimize family separation and provide a pathway to permanent residency for long-term undocumented immigrants. As the Biden administration continues to address immigration challenges, the focus remains on creating a fair and just system for all individuals living in the United States.