MIAMI.- President Joe Biden will announce a policy Tuesday to clear the way for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens to apply for legal residency in one of the most expansive immigration programs of his presidency, reported The Washington Post.
Months before the November election, the Democratic president takes a bold step by changing policy. This action is part of his agenda that seeks to create a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants who live in the United States.
Marrying a U.S. citizen used to be considered a fast track to citizenship, but immigrants who cross the border illegally face significant bureaucratic hurdles.
These obstacles have kept them in limbo for years, as federal law requires them to leave the country for up to 10 years before they can apply to return. Many immigrants consider this penalty excessive.
According to NBC News, the program, known as “parole in place”, would protect some 500,000 immigrants living in the United States from deportation. “This is the most important thing since DACA”said one immigration advocate.
This outlet cites four sources, including advocates and Capitol staff, who said lawmakers have been briefed and some have been invited to the White House for this announcement. These federal officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss general aspects of the proposal.
At a celebration at the White House to mark the 12th anniversary of an executive action during his vice presidency under Barack Obama, Biden will unveil his policies. In 2012, President Obama introduced a program that allowed undocumented immigrants who came to the United States as children apply for work permits, transforming hundreds of thousands of lives.
Biden will announce that undocumented spouses will be able to apply for legal residence within the United States, a relief measure for those with jobs and young children, who feared they would not be able to return to the country if they left. He is also expected to introduce a work visa program for current beneficiaries and those excluded from the DACA program.
A federal judge in Texas ruled the illegality of DACA, limiting it to current beneficiaries while the case is resolved. Additionally, Biden will allow some Dreamers (dreamers) apply for work visas, offering them a stronger legal basis than deferred action.
Details of both programs are being finalized and are expected to be released during the summer, according to official sources. All applicants will be required to undergo criminal background checks and meet other standard immigration requirements.
So far, the White House has not commented on Tuesday’s announcement.
Source: CNN / NBC News / The Washington Post
