The Biden administration unveiled a sweeping executive order on Tuesday that will provide legal protections to tens of thousands of illegal immigrants married to U.S. citizens. The move, touted by the White House as an effort to “keep families together,” is set to prevent the deportation of these individuals and grant them work permits if they have lived in the country for at least a decade.
The executive order, which could impact nearly 500,000 people, is part of the administration’s “parole in place” program. This initiative allows eligible immigrants three years to apply for permanent citizenship. The new measure is expected to benefit an estimated 1.1 million illegal immigrants married to U.S. citizens.
“President Biden believes that securing the border is essential,” the White House stated. “He also believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and that immigrants who have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes and contributing to their communities, are part of the social fabric of our country.”
President Biden is slated to celebrate this executive action at a White House event marking the 12-year anniversary of former President Barack Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. This program protects children who entered the U.S. illegally from deportation. The new order will also extend eligibility for Obamacare to DACA recipients.
In addition, the Biden administration is developing a plan to streamline the process for undocumented students and other illegal immigrants to receive temporary work visas.
While DACA has survived numerous legal challenges, the fate of Biden’s new executive action remains uncertain, particularly given the current composition of the Supreme Court.
Politically, the new relief program could intensify scrutiny of Biden’s handling of immigration, which has been a contentious issue. A recent CBS poll conducted from June 5-7 revealed that over 60 percent of Americans, including a majority of Hispanics, support mass deportations of illegal immigrants. Similarly, a Gallup poll in April identified immigration as the most important issue for the American electorate for the third consecutive month, marking it as the most polarizing topic recorded by Gallup over the past 25 years.
In an effort to address public concerns, Biden recently signed an executive order to significantly restrict the number of illegal immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. This move came after months of stating he lacked the authority to do so without congressional approval. However, the order received criticism from Republicans for being insufficient and from progressive Democrats for allegedly neglecting vulnerable migrants.
Former President Donald Trump, Biden’s expected opponent in the 2024 presidential election, has been vocal about his administration’s strict immigration policies and has pledged to oversee mass deportations if re-elected.
As the Biden administration continues to navigate the complex landscape of immigration policy, this latest executive action represents a significant shift aimed at protecting the families of U.S. citizens while also addressing broader concerns about the nation’s immigration system. The coming months will reveal the full impact and reception of these new measures on both the legal front and in the court of public opinion.
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