The White House has introduced new measures to provide relief to hundreds of thousands of immigrants residing in the country, as immigration poses challenges for President Joe Biden in the lead-up to the elections.
Under the new plan announced by the Biden administration, spouses of certain US citizens who are living in the country without legal status will be able to apply for permanent residency and eventual citizenship in the upcoming months. This initiative is expected to directly benefit over 500,000 immigrants.
To be eligible for the new plan, an immigrant must have resided in the United States for at least 10 years as of Monday and be married to a US citizen. Additionally, approximately 50,000 non-citizen children with a parent married to a US citizen may also qualify for the same process.
There is no specific requirement regarding the duration of the marriage, and individuals who reach the 10-year mark after June 17, 2024, will not be eligible for the program. Once approved, qualifying immigrants will have three years to apply for a green card, obtain a temporary work permit, and be protected from deportation during this period.
Senior administration officials mentioned that they expect the application process to open by the end of the summer, and the application fees are yet to be determined.
Biden is scheduled to address his plans during an event at the White House on Tuesday afternoon. This occasion will also commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, a widely supported directive from the Obama era that provided deportation safeguards and temporary work permits for young immigrants without legal status.
Privately, White House officials have urged House Democrats, who are currently on recess, to return to Washington and be present for the announcement.
