President Joe Biden has introduced additional safeguards for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. The plan, revealed on Tuesday, is expected to affect around 500,000 individuals residing in the country without legal status. This new policy offers a chance for legal status and a route to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for more than ten years and are married to an American citizen. This initiative aims to shield them from deportation and grant them permission to work within the United States.
The New York Times notes, “It is one of the most expansive presidential actions to protect immigrants in more than a decade.”
“The decision comes as Mr. Biden tries to strike a balance on one of the most dominant political issues in 2024. Aware that many Americans want tougher policies on the border, Mr. Biden just two weeks ago announced a crackdown that suspended longtime guarantees that give anyone who steps onto U.S. soil the right to seek asylum here,” it added.
Furthermore, it is anticipated that Biden will implement measures to facilitate employment opportunities for young undocumented immigrants within the nation. This forthcoming initiative is projected to commence towards the conclusion of the summer season, coinciding with the eligibility of illegal immigrant spouses to seek application for these novel advantages.
The Times points out, “Marrying an American citizen generally provides a pathway to U.S. citizenship. But people who crossed the southern border illegally — rather than arriving in the country with a visa — must return to their home countries to complete the process for a green card.”
“That means long separations from their spouses and families. The new program allows families to remain in the country while they pursue legal status,” it explained. “To be eligible, the spouses must have lived in the United States for 10 years and been married to an American citizen as of June 17. They cannot have a criminal record. The benefits would also extend to the roughly 50,000 children of undocumented spouses who became stepchildren to American citizens.”
