Washington, CNN — As President Joe Biden’s term nears its end, he is facing mounting pressure from Democratic lawmakers and immigration advocates to extend protections for immigrants in the U.S. This comes amid concerns over President-elect Donald Trump’s plans for mass deportations.
Biden’s administration has been grappling with the complexities of immigration policy, a contentious issue throughout his presidency. Many Democratic lawmakers and allies worry that Trump’s promised deportations could threaten immigrant families and the U.S. economy. At the same time, Biden officials are cautious about overstepping in their actions, given that immigration has been a sensitive issue for many voters, some of whom disapproved of Biden’s handling of the U.S.-Mexico border during the 2024 election.
“Things have changed,” a senior administration official said, acknowledging the shifting political landscape of the past two years.
While some Democrats are urging Biden to take swift action, the administration is working carefully to avoid any policies that could trigger backlash. Advocates have expressed frustration over the administration’s slow progress on certain issues, such as asylum rules, while other actions remain in limbo.
“They’re afraid of their own shadow on this issue,” a Democratic congressional aide said.
Over the years, immigration policy in the U.S. has often been shaped by the executive branch, making it susceptible to change with each new administration. Lawmakers are calling for several key actions, including expanding Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to more immigrants, speeding up Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals, and addressing the backlog of asylum cases.
A group of Democratic senators expressed concerns in a letter to Biden, warning that mass deportations could destabilize families and the economy. “We urge you to act decisively before the inauguration of President-elect Trump to complete the important work of the past four years and protect immigrant families,” the senators wrote.
Among the signatories were Senators Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Catherine Cortez Masto, Mazie Hirono, Tammy Duckworth, Ben Ray Luján, and Alex Padilla. Padilla added, “President Biden, you have the chance to cement your legacy on the economy, as well as your humanitarian legacy. Use this moment to protect long-term immigrants and help strengthen our nation’s economy.”
Behind the scenes, Democratic aides say the White House has been responsive to these concerns but has not yet made any firm commitments. “The White House has been receptive to the conversations, and they are ongoing. We are pushing them to make it a priority before the end of the term,” a Senate aide said.
One area of focus is the renewal of Temporary Protected Status for immigrants from countries like El Salvador and Nicaragua. TPS protections for Salvadorans are set to expire in March, and officials must decide by early January whether to extend them. However, some officials are cautious about redesignating protections for Nicaraguans, which would require an earlier decision than usual.
“We’re trying as hard as we can to thread the needle,” said a senior administration official.
In his final days in office, former President Donald Trump extended TPS for Venezuelans in the U.S., and Biden has continued similar actions, such as increasing work permit renewals for certain immigrants.
However, another regulation being finalized to restrict asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border has raised concerns among immigrant advocates. Critics argue that the policy will harm vulnerable immigrants, adding urgency to calls for stronger protections before Trump takes office.
“They’ve already taken extraordinary steps to protect a large number of people,” a source close to the White House said. “But not extending protections now could be disastrous and cost lives.”
With the looming prospect of a Trump administration reversing many of Biden’s immigration policies, officials are working to protect the actions already in place. Yet, several key measures remain vulnerable to change, and many immigrants are left uncertain about their future.
“They have no certainty whatsoever,” one immigrant advocate told CNN, describing the anxious mood within immigrant communities.
As Biden’s term wraps up, White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients highlighted the administration’s efforts to reduce border crossings in a recent memo but did not mention immigration among its priorities for the final stretch of Biden’s presidency.
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