President Joe Biden is announcing new protections for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants.
On Tuesday, Biden unveiled his plan that will impact an estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants in the country. The new policy will give legal status and a pathway to citizenship to illegal immigrants who have been living in the country for over a decade and are married to an American citizen.
It will prevent them from being deported and allow them to work in the U.S.
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.
Additionally, Biden is expected to make it easier for young undocumented immigrants to work in the country.
The new program is expected to launch at the end of the summer, when illegal immigrant spouses will be able to apply for the new benefits.
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.
