The Biden administration is considering a proposal to protect from deportation the undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and allow them to work legally in the country, four officials familiar with the discussions told The New York Times.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity to the publication, said that no final decision has been made and that the policy is still unclear. Such a program could also provide some spouses with an easier path to obtaining American citizenship.
The proposal comes at a time when Biden is trying to address the controversial issue of immigration, a topic that has become increasingly relevant to voters just months ahead of the presidential elections.
Last week, he decided to ban asylum for immigrants who enter the United States illegally as part of an effort to strengthen border enforcement. This decision has drawn criticism from his electoral base.
Now, a measure to protect undocumented immigrants living in the United States for some time could help Biden face some of the fierce resistance that the asylum suspension has provoked and bolster support from immigrant advocates, Latino voters, and his progressive base.
Who could the program help?
Typically, immigrants living in the United States without legal immigration status, but who entered the country on a visa and marry American citizens, are eligible to apply for a green card. However, immigrants who enter through the border must face an additional step in the process. They need to apply for a “waiver,” a kind of “forgiveness,” which, if approved, could eventually lead to a green card.
Biden’s program aims to specifically protect those who entered the country without a visa and married American citizens. In other words, it is likely that his plan is to create means that expedite and facilitate the receipt of permanent residency for these individuals.
A White House spokesperson said on Sunday (9) that the government was considering many options.
“As we have said before, the government continues to explore a range of policy options and we remain committed to taking action to address our broken immigration system,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Recent polls show that many Americans, including Democrats and Latinos, support stricter enforcement of immigration at the borders and legal pathways to citizenship for those who have been here longer.
Source: The New York Times