Washington, D.C. – President Joe Biden has announced a new program to provide a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants married to American citizens and high-skilled graduates from American universities. This initiative, revealed at a White House event on Tuesday, commemorates the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
The DACA program, which protects certain undocumented immigrants brought to the US as children from deportation, was a key focus of Biden’s announcement. The new program aims to extend benefits to “Dreamers” who have graduated from US colleges and secured jobs in high-demand, high-skilled fields.
“These individuals have been educated here, and we need their skills to help our economy grow,” Biden said.
He emphasized that the new program for undocumented immigrants married to Americans is about “keeping families together.”
“These couples have been raising families, sending their kids to church and school, paying taxes, and contributing to our country for many years,” he stated, noting that the average person eligible for this program has been in the US for 23 years, living with “fear and uncertainty.”
Biden criticized the current process for undocumented spouses of Americans as “cumbersome, risky, and family-separating.” The current law requires such individuals to leave the country for ten years before becoming eligible for a spousal visa.
“They have to leave their families in America with no assurance of being allowed back. So they stay in America, but in the shadows, living in constant fear of deportation,” Biden said.
A senior administration official explained that the new plan could benefit up to 500,000 American families in “mixed-status” marriages, where one partner is undocumented. The program will allow these spouses and their children to apply for lawful permanent residence status without leaving the country.
“This action could protect approximately half a million American families and about 50,000 non-citizen children under 21 whose parent is married to a US citizen,” the official said.
Additionally, the administration will take steps to “facilitate the employment visa process for those who have graduated from college and have high-skilled job offers,” including those benefiting from the DACA program.
“These measures show that the administration is committed to securing our border and ensuring our immigration system is fair and just,” the official added.
Historically, spouses of US citizens have been eligible for citizenship, but those who entered the US illegally have faced significant obstacles. Biden’s plan will utilize executive authority known as parole, allowing the government to overlook illegal entry and grant work permits and residency status.
Undocumented immigrants married to US citizens who receive parole relief will eventually be able to apply for permanent resident status and, subsequently, US citizenship, with their American spouse as their sponsor.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official noted that the new program applies only to those who have been in the US for at least a decade as of June 17, 2024. Those who entered after June 17, 2014, will not be eligible.
“This action will advance our country’s interest in keeping American families together while ensuring anyone posing a public safety threat is excluded from our immigration system,” the DHS official said.
Biden’s announcement comes shortly after he faced criticism from immigration advocates for approving stringent new asylum restrictions at the US-Mexico border. Republicans are expected to oppose the plan, arguing it incentivizes illegal migration despite its specific criteria.
Karoline Leavitt, former press secretary for Donald Trump’s campaign, labeled the program as “mass amnesty,” predicting it would lead to increased migrant crime, higher taxpayer costs, overwhelmed public services, and the depletion of Social Security and Medicare funds.
In contrast, Deirdre Schifeling of the American Civil Liberties Union praised Biden’s initiative, stating it would keep committed families together and strengthen communities.
“This humane and commonsense action will make America stronger, with resilient, hardworking, and patriotic people contributing to our society,” Schifeling said.
Progressive Congressman Joaquin Castro of Texas hailed the move as a “historic announcement” that will enable many parents to fully participate in American society.
“Congress must pass comprehensive immigration reform, but this is a compassionate step forward,” Castro said. “I look forward to working with the Biden administration to help families access this relief.”
