President Joe Biden announced a new initiative to provide a path to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens. This election-year move contrasts with Donald Trump's proposal for mass deportations. At a White House event, Biden criticized Trump for his harsh rhetoric and policies on immigration, particularly the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
The new program will be open to about 500,000 spouses who have lived in the U.S. for at least ten years as of June 17, as well as approximately 50,000 children under 21 with a U.S.-citizen parent.
Eligible spouses and their children can apply for permanent residence without leaving the U.S., simplifying the process and preventing family separation. Successful applicants could eventually apply for U.S. citizenship, provided they meet all other immigration requirements. The program excludes those considered public security threats or with disqualifying criminal records.
The administration plans to launch the program in the coming months, with a majority of likely beneficiaries being Mexican nationals.
Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas, head of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Migration, praised the plan. He emphasized the relief it would bring to families fearing separation and the benefits for communities relying on such programs.
Seitz also noted that this initiative coincides with the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which has positively impacted many lives. The Biden administration also announced that DACA recipients would find it easier to obtain skilled-work visas under the new guidelines.
Polling shows mixed opinions on immigration, with a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicating that over half of U.S. voters support deporting most immigrants in the country illegally, while a poll by Immigration Hub found 71% of voters in key battleground states support allowing long-term undocumented spouses to remain.
Seitz called on legislators to prioritize family unity and urged Congress to overcome partisan divisions to enact comprehensive immigration reform.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott criticized the program as "blatantly illegal," and it is expected to face legal challenges.
Meanwhile, Mexico's President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador praised the decision, highlighting its positive impact on Mexican families in the U.S.
Biden’s announcement aims to support a more humane immigration system and differentiate his policies from Trump’s hardline stance. The initiative seeks to address the ongoing legislative stalemate on immigration reform, demonstrated by the recent failure of a bipartisan security bill in the Senate.
An example of a family that might benefit from the new program includes Megan, a social worker from Wisconsin, and her husband Juan, who is in the U.S. illegally. Despite their long-term relationship and having two daughters, they have struggled to resolve Juan’s immigration status, fearing deportation and potential family separation.