President Joe Biden has made a significant announcement that could impact the lives of hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens. The new policy, unveiled by the Biden administration, aims to protect these individuals from deportation and allow them to work legally in the United States.
This move comes as the issue of immigration continues to be a hot topic in the political landscape, with President Biden facing challenges in addressing record migrant arrivals at the US-Mexico border. The new policy will apply to undocumented spouses who have been in the country for at least 10 years, benefiting more than 500,000 individuals, according to the White House.
During an event at the White House, President Biden emphasized the importance of creating a more fair and just immigration system for immigrants, married couples, and all Americans. The policy is also expected to benefit 50,000 young people under 21 whose parent is married to an American citizen.
This announcement marks a significant relief program for undocumented migrants already in the US, reminiscent of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) program introduced during the Obama administration in 2012. The new policy will allow eligible individuals to apply for permanent residency and obtain a three-year work permit.
While the White House’s decision has received criticism from organizations advocating for tighter immigration controls, supporters believe it is a step in the right direction for a segment of the US immigrant population that has historically faced challenges in normalizing their status in the country.
Overall, President Biden’s recent actions on immigration, including the new spouses policy and plans to ease the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants, reflect his administration’s efforts to address concerns from both new arrivals and long-term undocumented immigrants navigating the complex US immigration system.
