President Biden announced a new immigration program on Tuesday that will provide legal status and a pathway to residency and citizenship for approximately half a million undocumented immigrants who are married to American citizens. This policy, introduced by the Department of Homeland Security, will allow eligible immigrants to apply for work permits and deportation protections if they have resided in the U.S. for at least 10 years and meet other specified requirements.
One of the key components of President Biden’s plan is the opportunity for these immigrants to obtain permanent residency, commonly referred to as a green card, and eventually pursue U.S. citizenship. This initiative represents a significant step towards addressing the challenges faced by undocumented individuals who are married to American citizens and have been living in the country for an extended period.
In his announcement, President Biden emphasized the importance of providing a pathway to legal status for individuals who have built their lives in the United States, stating, “For those wives or husbands and their children who have lived in America for a decade or more, but are undocumented, this action will allow them to file paperwork for legal status in the United States, allowing them to work while they remain with their families in the United States.”
If implemented successfully, this program would become the largest government initiative for undocumented immigrants since the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which currently protects over 500,000 individuals who were brought to the U.S. as children from deportation. The policy announced by President Biden marks a significant step towards providing relief and security to undocumented immigrants and their families.
The announcement of this immigration program took place at a White House event commemorating the 12th anniversary of DACA, where President Biden also introduced measures to streamline the process for employers to sponsor “Dreamers” and other undocumented immigrants for work visas. This recent executive action on immigration highlights the administration’s commitment to addressing key issues within the immigration system and providing opportunities for undocumented individuals to regularize their status.
The implementation of President Biden’s immigration plan involves two main benefits for undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. Firstly, eligible applicants will have the opportunity to work and reside in the U.S. legally on a temporary basis through the immigration parole authority. This policy, known as “Parole in Place,” is designed to assist individuals in overcoming legal barriers that prevent them from obtaining permanent legal status without having to leave the country.
Under current federal law, immigrants who enter the U.S. illegally and marry a U.S. citizen are typically required to leave the country and re-enter legally in order to be eligible for a green card. However, this process can trigger a 10-year ban for individuals who have lived in the U.S. illegally for certain periods of time, making it a challenging and risky endeavor for many mixed-status families. President Biden’s policy aims to provide a more accessible and efficient pathway for eligible immigrants to obtain a green card without the need to depart the U.S.
After residing in the U.S. as green card holders for 3 to 5 years, immigrants under this program will have the opportunity to apply for American citizenship, further solidifying their ties to the country. It is estimated that approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants with U.S. citizen spouses will be eligible for this program, provided they were legally married by a specified date and do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
This policy is also expected to benefit around 50,000 immigrant children who have a parent married to a U.S. citizen, as well as undocumented stepchildren of U.S. citizens under the age of 21. The government plans to open the Parole in Place program for applications by the end of the summer, although legal challenges from Republican-led states are anticipated given the contentious nature of immigration policies.
For over a decade, the U.S. government has administered a limited Parole in Place policy for unauthorized immigrants who are immediate relatives of U.S. service members or veterans, a program that was affirmed by Congress in 2020. In addition to the new immigration plan, the State Department is unveiling a streamlined process for DACA recipients and other undocumented immigrants who have graduated from U.S. colleges to access employment-based visas, such as H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.
President Biden’s bold actions on immigration underscore his administration’s commitment to addressing longstanding challenges in the immigration system and providing relief to vulnerable populations. By expanding opportunities for undocumented immigrants to obtain legal status, work permits, and a pathway to citizenship, the administration is taking proactive steps towards fostering inclusivity and fairness within the U.S. immigration framework.
As the implementation of this program moves forward, it is crucial for stakeholders, advocates, and policymakers to collaborate and support efforts to ensure the successful integration and support of undocumented immigrants and their families. The Biden administration’s immigration policies reflect a broader commitment to upholding the values of compassion, dignity, and opportunity for all individuals seeking to contribute to the fabric of American society.
