Washington D.C. – The Biden Administration has announced a new immigration policy that will grant legal status to approximately 500,000 undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens, according to senior administration officials. This move is seen as a significant step towards reforming the US immigration system, which has been a contentious issue in the country.
The new policy, which is expected to be announced soon, will apply to individuals who have been in the country for at least 10 years and are married to a US citizen. Eligible individuals will be able to work in the US legally and will have a pathway to permanent residency.
This move is seen as a significant relief for many undocumented immigrants who have been living in the US for years and have been unable to legalize their status due to various reasons. The policy is also expected to benefit approximately 50,000 young people under the age of 21 who have a parent who is married to a US citizen.
The announcement comes ahead of an event marking the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which was introduced by the Obama administration in 2012. DACA allowed certain young undocumented immigrants who came to the US as children to remain in the country without fear of deportation.
The new policy is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue of immigration reform, which has been a contentious issue in the US for many years. The move is expected to be welcomed by many immigration advocates who have been pushing for reform.
However, the policy has also been criticized by some who argue that it does not go far enough in addressing the issue of immigration reform. Some have also expressed concerns about the potential impact on national security and the economy.
Despite the criticism, the Biden administration has vowed to continue working towards comprehensive immigration reform. The administration has also announced plans to ease and speed up the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants who have received degrees from US universities or have received a job offer in their field.
Overall, the new policy is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue of immigration reform in the US. It is expected to benefit many undocumented immigrants who have been living in the US for years and will provide them with a pathway to legal status and eventual citizenship.