Biden to Grant Legal Status to Undocumented Spouses of US Citizens

[Social Media]

 

President Joe Biden is poised to unveil a new policy aimed at providing legal protections to hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, administration officials have announced. This move, which applies to those who have resided in the United States for at least a decade, will also allow these individuals to work legally within the country. This initiative represents the most significant relief program for undocumented migrants since the Obama administration's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was introduced in 2012.

 

The Biden administration anticipates that this policy will benefit over 500,000 spouses of U.S. citizens, as well as 50,000 young people under the age of 21 whose parents are married to American citizens. This announcement aligns with Biden's earlier commitment to making the U.S. immigration system "more fair and more just," as polls indicate that immigration remains a major concern for voters ahead of the upcoming presidential election in November.

 

The policy will be officially announced at an event marking the 12th anniversary of the DACA program, which has protected over 530,000 migrants, known as Dreamers, from deportation since its inception. According to senior administration officials, undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens will qualify for the program if they have lived in the country for 10 years and were married as of June 17. Qualifying individuals will have three years to apply for permanent residency and will be eligible for a three-year work permit.

 

The White House estimates that those eligible for this process have lived in the United States for an average of 23 years, with the majority having been born in Mexico. These individuals will be "paroled in place," meaning they can remain in the U.S. while their status is adjusted.

 

Despite the potential benefits, the policy has faced criticism from immigration reform groups such as NumbersUSA. The organization’s chief executive, James Massa, condemned the policy as "unconscionable," arguing that it circumvents the legislative process and encourages illegal entry into the United States. "Rather than stopping the worst border crisis in history, President Biden has overreached his executive authority to use an unconstitutional process," Massa stated.

 

On the other hand, immigration lawyer and professor Alex Cuic from Case Western Reserve University in Ohio sees the policy as a positive development for a historically underserved segment of the immigrant population. Cuic noted that many undocumented spouses would otherwise face significant hurdles in normalizing their status, often requiring them to leave the country and re-enter lawfully. By allowing these individuals to parole in place, the policy aims to prevent family separations during the application process for lawful permanent residence.

 

The application process for this new program is expected to be available by the end of the summer. Additionally, the Biden administration plans to streamline and expedite the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants, particularly those with degrees from U.S. universities or job offers in their field, including Dreamers.

 

This announcement follows a recent executive order issued by Biden, allowing U.S. officials to swiftly remove migrants entering the country illegally without processing their asylum requests once a daily threshold is met and the border becomes "overwhelmed." This measure has faced legal challenges from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which argues that it violates U.S. immigration law. Biden has urged patience from those who find the measure too stringent, promising further actions to improve the fairness and justice of the immigration system.

 

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, policy director at the American Immigration Council, suggested that the recent actions by the Biden administration are attempts to address criticisms from both sides of the immigration debate. While the new policy for undocumented spouses may generate positive headlines, it also aims to balance the administration's response to new arrivals and the long-term undocumented immigrant population struggling with the complexities of the current immigration system.

 

Credit: BBC 2024-06-19

 

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[1duckyboy]

An easy half a million new voters for Democrats. 

[EVENKEEL]

I see new dating apps coming our way. Date a lien perhaps.

[Tug]

21 minutes ago, 1duckyboy said:

An easy half a million new voters for Democrats. 

Ahhh they have to be citizens first…….

[JohnOFphon]

Good ole Uncle Joe. Everyones friend. Legal or not. Don't need a Visa. 

[Tug]

53 minutes ago, JohnOFphon said:

Good ole Uncle Joe. Everyones friend. Legal or not. Don't need a Visa. 

Translation to fact they have to be married to a United states citizen and have to have resided in the United States for 10 years to qualify 

[Chomper Higgot]

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

Translation to fact they have to be married to a United states citizen and have to have resided in the United States for 10 years to qualify 

Don’t let facts try to get in the way of a rightwing rant.

[herfiehandbag]

It seems fair.

 

However, should "Dictator ( for a day!) Donald" end up in the White House it will be unlikely to save them from being rounded up by his patriot legions for the camps, they are brown people after all!

[scorecard]

1 hour ago, 1duckyboy said:

An easy half a million new voters for Democrats. 

 

Good!

[Hanaguma]

28 minutes ago, herfiehandbag said:

It seems fair.

 

However, should "Dictator ( for a day!) Donald" end up in the White House it will be unlikely to save them from being rounded up by his patriot legions for the camps, they are brown people after all!

How is it possibly fair?

 

How about this for fair.... if an illegal immigrant marries an American citizen, they can go back to their home country. Then, apply for a spouse visa. Their sponsor (the American citizen) can provide evidence that they have the means to support the illegal immigrant spouse without using social services. Then process the application.

 

THAT sounds fair, doesn't it?

[cncltd1973]

reunited for Babyboom 2.0

[thaibeachlovers]

Biden must be getting desperate about November with this IMO nonsense.

[JonnyF]

Trying to bribe the votes of spouses of illegals.

 

A true Democrat if ever I saw one. 

[Wrwest]

2 hours ago, JohnOFphon said:

Good ole Uncle Joe. Everyones friend. Legal or not. Don't need a Visa. 

Average stay? Article says 23 years? How many Congresses? How many President Administrations? We would agree that there is a serious issue with both major parties, "kicking the can down the road". The lates was the Senate bi-partisan agreement on Immigration Legislation ... stopped by Trump.

[Wrwest]

3 hours ago, Tug said:

Ahhh they have to be citizens first…….

Now, Tug ... you know we are not to confuse them with facts.

[spidermike007]

This is good. If you are legitimately married to a US citizen, you should be granted status. Same should apply in Thailand. 

[impulse]

If they've been in the USA for 10 years (married or not), haven't been a financial burden (paid taxes, not on welfare, etc), and don't have a significant criminal record, I'd favor an amnesty for them.

 

Just not at the whim of a president and not in the leadup to an election. 

 

First, Congress should be granting the amnesty (and tested by the Supreme Court).  Second, if he did have the power, why didn't he do it 3-1/2 years ago?  Why wait until he's getting excoriated in the polls?

 

Edited June 19 by impulse

[impulse]

5 hours ago, Tug said:

5 hours ago, 1duckyboy said:

An easy half a million new voters for Democrats. 

Ahhh they have to be citizens first…….

 

So you don't figure the Americans they're married to, or their (now adult) anchor babies may be swayed to vote for Joe?  The amnestied may not make it in time for the November election, but there's well over a million votes there.  Even more if he can stall the action until after November and convince them that Trump would foil his magnanimous gesture if elected.

 

Blatant, desperate pandering for votes.  I'd call it a cheap trick, but somehow everything the Dems do around election time ends up costing $$Billions in the end.

[Presto]

5 hours ago, 1duckyboy said:

An easy half a million new voters for Democrats. 

Do you mean that if Trump had taken the same action during his presidency, the Republican party would have had an easy half million new voters?

[Chomper Higgot]

8 minutes ago, impulse said:

Even more if he can stall the action until after November

Utter nonsense.

 

 

[impulse]

2 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Utter nonsense.

 

Nonsense? 

 

Biden's gonna announce an amnesty and a timetable (because surely they can't adjudicate half a million cases before November.)  Then, he'll create fear that it won't happen unless he wins.

 

Not nonsense.  Guaranteed.  Anyone who believes otherwise is smoking fairy dust.  No way they can adjudicate 500K before the election.

 

 

[riclag]

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

Trying to bribe the votes of spouses of illegals.

 

A true Democrat if ever I saw one. 

Trump says no taxes on tip money and to better Trump, bidens cultural marxist handlers go unconstitutional again ! Congress makes laws not The Executive branch!

Federal judge shopping time , methinks

[riclag]

43 minutes ago, impulse said:

If they've been in the USA for 10 years (married or not), haven't been a financial burden (paid taxes, not on welfare, etc), and don't have a significant criminal record, I'd favor an amnesty for them.

 

Just not at the whim of a president and not in the leadup to an election. 

 

First, Congress should be granting the amnesty (and tested by the Supreme Court).  Second, if he did have the power, why didn't he do it 3-1/2 years ago?  Why wait until he's getting excoriated in the polls?

 

 Breaking: A Common sense argument !

 

[wasabi]

While this might be unfair to those who followed the law and have waited their turn, if these new citizens pay into social security that could be beneficial. Quite frankly I think they should have to pay in arears too, if they haven't already.

[Chomper Higgot]

16 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Nonsense? 

 

Biden's gonna announce an amnesty and a timetable (because surely they can't adjudicate half a million cases before November.)  Then, he'll create fear that it won't happen unless he wins.

 

Not nonsense.  Guaranteed.  Anyone who believes otherwise is smoking fairy dust.  No way they can adjudicate 500K before the election.

 

 

Anyone who doesn’t believe your fabricated nonsense is smoking fairy dust.

 

Tell us again how President Biden is doing to stall the election until after November, I appreciate a good laugh now and again.

 

[impulse]

3 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Anyone who doesn’t believe your fabricated nonsense is smoking fairy dust.

 

Tell us again how President Biden is doing to stall the election until after November, I appreciate a good laugh now and again.

 

 

Put on your cheaters and read it again.  I said he'd stall the ACTION until after November.  Not the ELECTION.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

6 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

Put on your cheaters and read it again.  I said he'd stall the ACTION until after November.  Not the ELECTION.

 

My bad.

 

And my apologies to you.

[impulse]

1 minute ago, Chomper Higgot said:

My bad.

 

And my apologies to you.

 

No sweat.  I enjoy back and forth with you because you argue facts and don't just attack the person.

[John Drake]

9 hours ago, Social Media said:

According to senior administration officials, undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens will qualify for the program if they have lived in the country for 10 years and were married as of June 17.

 

Married for a couple of days and immediately eligible for Biden's amnesty. How long are they required to stay married? 

[Chomper Higgot]

2 minutes ago, John Drake said:

 

Married for a couple of days and immediately eligible for Biden's amnesty. How long are they required to stay married? 

From the OP:

 

Accordingto senior administration officials, undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens will qualify for the program if they have lived in the country for 10 years and were married as of June 17. Qualifying individuals will have three years to apply for permanent residency and will be eligible for a three-year work permit.

 

The White House estimates that those eligible for thisprocess have lived in the United States for an average of 23 years, with the majority having been born in Mexico. These individuals will be "paroled in place," meaning they can remain in the U.S. while their status is adjusted.