President Biden announced a major policy shift on Tuesday, aiming to grant potential citizenship to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants, balancing recent strict border measures that have caused a stir among advocates and Democrats.
New Pathway for Undocumented Spouses
In a significant move, Biden’s administration will allow certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent residency and eventually citizenship without leaving the country. This policy could impact over half a million immigrants, according to senior officials.
Biden emphasized the importance of maintaining the nation’s identity as a welcoming place for immigrants while securing the border, calling previous choices between the two “false.”
This policy marks the most substantial federal protection for immigrants in over a decade, setting a stark contrast with GOP candidate Donald Trump, known for his strict immigration policies. Trump has promised to repeal Biden’s initiative if re-elected, calling it an “illegal amnesty plan.”
Application Process
Eligible immigrants must have lived in the U.S. for ten years and be married to a U.S. citizen as of a specified date. If approved, they can apply for a green card within three years, receive a temporary work permit, and avoid deportation during this period. This process is expected to open by the end of the summer, with application fees yet to be determined.
The announcement, made on the 12th anniversary of DACA, was well-received by mixed-status families. For instance, Brenda Valle from Los Angeles expressed relief, highlighting the new ability to plan for the long-term future without the constant worry of her DACA status being renewed every two years.
Advocates like Gustavo Torres of CASA see this as a mobilizing force for Latino communities to support Biden’s re-election. Conversely, Republicans, including Rep. Richard Hudson and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, criticize the plan, predicting legal challenges.
Expanded Protections
Additionally, Biden introduced new regulations for certain DACA recipients and young immigrants to more easily qualify for work visas, providing a more stable alternative to DACA’s temporary permits.
This policy builds on the “parole in place” authority used by Presidents Bush and Obama for military families, offering a path to permanent residency without leaving the U.S. Andrea Flores, a former adviser in the Obama and Biden administrations, called it the most significant win for immigrant rights since DACA.
While some progressives criticized Biden’s asylum policies, they praised this new initiative for keeping families together. Rep. Pramila Jayapal highlighted the often-overlooked struggles of U.S. citizens married to undocumented individuals, praising the new policy for addressing these challenges.
