White House Considering Temporary Legal Status for Undocumented Immigrants Married to US Citizens: Sources
The White House is considering granting temporary legal status and work permits to undocumented immigrants married to American citizens.
This move could help energize Democrats ahead of the November elections and address concerns from immigrant advocacy groups.
The Biden administration is under pressure to protect undocumented immigrants while also addressing illegal border crossings.
Immigration has become a major voter concern, particularly among Republicans.
The White House has considered executive actions to block migrants at the border if crossings reach a certain threshold, but this has sparked criticism from some Democrats and advocates.
The Biden administration is considering granting "parole in place" to spouses of US citizens, allowing them temporary status with work permits and a potential path to citizenship.
No decisions have been made yet, and the White House declined to confirm the discussions.
Approximately 1.1 million undocumented immigrants in the US are married to citizens.
Eighty-six Democratic lawmakers wrote to President Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas last year, urging them to safeguard the immigration status of US citizens' spouses and establish a family reunification process for those residing outside the country.
At a press conference in Washington on Monday, Allyson Batista, a US citizen and resident of Philadelphia, shared her 20-year-long struggle to secure legal immigration status for her Brazilian-born husband.
They have three children together and run a construction company, but continue to live in fear of separation due to his lack of legal status.
Batista implored Biden to take action to prevent the trauma and uncertainty that comes with the possibility of a future unfavorable administration.