The Biden administration unveiled a significant executive action on Tuesday that will enable certain undocumented spouses and children of US citizens to seek lawful permanent residency without having to leave the country. This move is expected to provide deportation protections to approximately 500,000 American families and around 50,000 noncitizen children of immigrants under the age of 21 whose parent is married to a US citizen.
The initiative, which marks one of the most substantial relief programs for undocumented immigrants since the inception of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012, aims to support key Latino constituencies in battleground states crucial for Biden's potential reelection bid.
Under the new action, spouses of US citizens can apply for residency without the requirement to depart the United States, a change intended to maintain family unity. To be eligible for the program, individuals must have resided in the US for at least 10 years and be legally married to a US citizen. The application process is set to commence by the end of the summer.
Lawful permanent residency, commonly known as obtaining a green card, allows immigrants to live and work legally in the United States. The executive action is anticipated to impact up to 550,000 individuals, according to the Migration Policy Institute, potentially leading to economic benefits by enabling them to pursue higher-wage job opportunities.
While the move has garnered support from immigration advocacy groups, it has faced criticism from some Senate Republicans who argue that it may incentivize illegal immigration. However, Democrats have largely praised the executive order, emphasizing the importance of family unity and the protection of spouses of American citizens.
In addition to the executive action concerning undocumented spouses and children, President Biden also announced measures to streamline the employment-visa process for college graduates with high-skilled job offers.
