Biden’s Bold Immigration Reform: A New Path for Undocumented Spouses
This Tuesday, President Biden is set to announce a groundbreaking policy that will allow hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to apply for legal residency. According to federal sources, this initiative marks one of the most significant immigration reforms of his presidency.
A Strategic Move Ahead of Elections
This policy shift comes as a strong statement from Biden just months before the November elections. It also serves as a rebuttal to congressional Republicans who have been resistant to his proposals for enhanced border security and pathways to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants residing in the U.S.
Celebrating Past Efforts
Biden will introduce these new measures at a White House event celebrating the 12-year anniversary of a significant executive action taken during his vice presidency. In 2012, President Obama launched a program allowing undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children to apply for work permits, positively impacting hundreds of thousands of lives.
Easing the Path to Residency
Marrying a U.S. citizen is typically a swift route to citizenship. However, those who entered the country illegally face prolonged bureaucratic challenges, often needing to leave the U.S. for up to ten years before applying to return. Biden’s new policy will enable these undocumented spouses to apply for legal residency without leaving the country, greatly benefiting those with families and jobs.
Foday Turay, a 27-year-old immigrant from Sierra Leone and assistant district attorney in Philadelphia, highlighted the risks involved with the current system. He crossed the border illegally as a child and now fears leaving his family to navigate the legal process.
Expanding DACA Protections
In addition to helping spouses, Biden is expected to announce a work-visa program for current Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) enrollees. This move aims to provide a more stable legal footing for Dreamers, particularly those excluded when the Trump administration attempted to end the program in 2017.
Looking Ahead
While specific details are still being finalized and will be shared over the summer, applicants will need to pass criminal background checks and meet other standard immigration requirements.
Stay tuned for further updates on this significant development in U.S. immigration policy.