Analysis: Biden’s Plan to Give Legal Status to Undocumented Spouses and Its Impact on US Immigration System

President Joe Biden’s plan to provide legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens is set to make a significant impact on the US immigration system. This new policy marks a major relief program for undocumented migrants already in the US, similar to the DACA program initiated during the Obama administration. It is estimated that more than 500,000 spouses of US citizens will benefit from this new policy, along with 50,000 young people under 21 whose parents are married to American citizens.
The announcement comes amidst a primary concern for many voters, as immigration remains a hot topic ahead of the upcoming presidential election this November. With the administration aiming to make the US immigration system “more fair and more just”, this move is seen as a step towards achieving that goal. The decision to protect the undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation also addresses the challenges faced by a segment of the immigrant population who historically struggled to normalize their status in the country.
While some critics have condemned the new policy as “unconscionable”, arguing that it encourages illegal entry into the US, others see it as a necessary step to prevent family separation and streamline the process of obtaining legal residency for those eligible. By allowing beneficiaries to remain in the US while their status is changed, the administration hopes to alleviate some of the burdens faced by immigrant families.
In addition to providing legal status to undocumented spouses, the White House is also working on easing and speeding up the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants, including Dreamers who have received degrees from US universities. This move is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to address the complexities of the US immigration system and provide relief to those impacted by its challenges.
Overall, the plan to grant legal status to undocumented spouses of US citizens is a significant development that is expected to have a lasting impact on the US immigration landscape. As the application process is set to open by the end of summer, many will be closely watching the implementation of this policy and its implications for immigration reform in the country.