President Joe Biden is set to announce a new policy that would protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation, according to administration officials.
This move comes as the issue of immigration has proven to be a significant concern for the Biden administration, with the President recently issuing executive actions to address record migrant arrivals at the US-Mexico border.
The new policy is expected to benefit those who have been in the country for at least 10 years, allowing them to work legally in the US. The White House estimates that more than 500,000 spouses will benefit from this policy, along with 50,000 young people under 21 whose parents are married to American citizens.
This initiative is considered the most significant relief program for undocumented migrants already in the US since the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) was announced during the Obama administration in 2012. It is part of President Biden’s commitment to making the US immigration system “more fair and more just”.
The announcement comes as the 12th anniversary of Daca is marked, which protected over 530,000 migrants who came to the US as children, known as Dreamers, from deportation. The new policy will allow qualifying individuals to apply for permanent residency within three years and obtain a three-year work permit.
While organizations like NumbersUSA have criticized the new policy as “unconscionable”, immigration experts like Alex Cuic view it as a positive step for a vulnerable segment of the immigrant population. By allowing beneficiaries to remain in the US while their status is changed, the policy aims to prevent the separation of families in cases where one spouse would typically need to leave the country to apply for lawful permanent residence.
The application process for the new policy is expected to open by the end of summer, providing relief to long-term undocumented immigrants who have been navigating the complexities of the US immigration system for years. Additionally, the White House plans to ease and expedite the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants with degrees from US universities or job offers in their field, including Dreamers.
President Biden’s announcement reflects a dual commitment to addressing the challenges posed by both new arrivals and long-term undocumented immigrants in the United States. As the administration works towards a more balanced immigration policy, the new initiative seeks to provide stability and opportunity for vulnerable immigrant populations in the country.
