President Joe Biden is set to unveil a bold new immigration policy on Tuesday aimed at shielding hundreds of thousands of individuals married to U.S. citizens from deportation threats and providing them with work permits. This move marks a significant step in Biden’s immigration agenda, particularly as he faces an upcoming reelection campaign.
The policy, which Biden will announce at a White House event celebrating the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, includes provisions for a “parole in place” program. This initiative will offer approximately 490,000 spouses of U.S. citizens the opportunity to apply for deportation protection and obtain work permits, provided they have resided in the United States for at least 10 years, according to sources briefed on the White House plans who spoke anonymously.
The White House has not yet commented officially on the specifics of the announcement, which underscores the administration’s strategy to address immigration reform amidst heightened political scrutiny and public debate.
Since taking office, President Biden has faced escalating pressures to deliver on his campaign promises related to immigration reform. While initially advocating for comprehensive relief for undocumented immigrants, Biden’s recent actions, including stricter border policies, have drawn criticism for mirroring some of his predecessor’s approaches, particularly from advocates of more lenient immigration policies.
As Biden prepares to navigate the complexities of immigration reform in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election, his announcement of protection measures for spouses of U.S. citizens represents a pivotal moment in his administration’s efforts to address long-standing immigration issues.
