Biden Administration Developing Immigration Relief Program for Unauthorized Immigrants: Sources
The Biden administration is gearing up to unveil one of the most significant immigration relief programs in recent memory, according to sources familiar with the plans. The proposed policy would grant legal status to hundreds of thousands of immigrants residing in the U.S. without proper documentation.
The program, tentatively named “Parole in Place,” aims to provide work permits and protection from deportation to unauthorized immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens and have lived in the country for at least a decade. Additionally, it would create a pathway to permanent legal status and citizenship for eligible individuals by removing existing barriers in U.S. immigration law.
Another aspect of the plan involves simplifying the process for DREAMers and other undocumented immigrants to request waivers that would facilitate their access to temporary visas, such as H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.
While the measures could be announced as early as Tuesday, the final details are still being ironed out by the administration. White House officials are reportedly preparing to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which shields around 530,000 undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children from deportation.
The proposed program would benefit a subset of the estimated 1.1 million unauthorized immigrants with American citizen spouses who meet the residency requirements and other criteria. Overall, there are approximately 11 million immigrants living unlawfully in the U.S.
President Biden’s willingness to take executive actions on immigration ahead of the upcoming presidential election has been evident in recent moves, including a partial ban on asylum claims at the southern border. However, these actions have faced legal challenges, and the “Parole in Place” program is likely to encounter similar opposition, particularly from Republican lawmakers who oppose amnesty for undocumented individuals.
Despite potential pushback, the policy could help President Biden garner more support from Latino voters, especially those in mixed-status families who stand to benefit from the initiative. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has previously implemented a limited “Parole in Place” program for military families, allowing certain undocumented immigrants related to service members or veterans to obtain green cards without leaving the country.
As the administration finalizes its plans, the potential impact of this immigration relief program remains a topic of debate and contention among policymakers and the public alike.
