President Joe Biden is using executive authority to protect undocumented spouses of American citizens, a move expected to shield approximately 500,000 immigrants from deportation.
The White House announced the policy on Tuesday, positioning it as a measure to “keep families together.” This follows urging from immigration advocates and Democratic lawmakers, as Biden seeks support from Latino voters in key swing states.
The measure would protect approximately 500,000 immigrants residing in the United States from being deported.
Under the new policy, noncitizens married to U.S. citizens for at least 10 years, along with their children, can apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.
Biden described the steps as a “commonsense fix” to a system that is “cumbersome, risky, and separates families.” The policy is slated to take effect this summer and is aimed at individuals who have been in the country long-term, paying taxes and contributing to their communities.
An immigration advocate familiar with the matter likened the significance of this action to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program established by President Barack Obama in 2012, which protected undocumented immigrants who arrived as children.
In anticipation of potential challenges to the policy, the White House emphasized its firm stance on illegal border crossings and efforts to dismantle human-smuggling networks.
The administration’s statement stressed Biden’s belief in securing the border while expanding legal pathways and maintaining family unity. It noted that eligible spouses have been in the U.S. for an average of 23 years and have been contributing to their communities.
