White House mulls legal status for immigrant spouses

This potential move could invigorate Democratic support ahead of the November elections…reports Asian Lite News

The White House is considering options to grant temporary legal status and work permits to immigrants residing in the US illegally who are married to American citizens, sources familiar with the matter revealed on Monday, media reported.

This potential move could invigorate Democratic support ahead of the November elections, as pressure mounts on President Joe Biden to take action to safeguard undocumented immigrants amid efforts to curb illegal border crossings, according to Reuters report.

Immigration has emerged as a critical issue, particularly among Republicans, in the lead-up to the November 5 election, where Biden faces off against his predecessor, Donald Trump. Trump has been vocal in attributing a surge in illegal immigration to Biden’s perceived leniency on immigration policies.

In response to concerns over border security, the Biden administration has explored the possibility of executive actions to restrict migrant entries at the US-Mexico border, drawing criticism from some Democrats and advocacy groups.

One proposed measure under consideration is the implementation of “parole in place” for spouses of US citizens, which would grant temporary legal status, work permits, and potentially a pathway to citizenship. However, no concrete actions have been finalized at this stage, according to insider sources.

While the White House spokesperson acknowledged ongoing evaluations of policy options, specific details regarding potential actions were not confirmed. Nevertheless, the administration reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating relief for eligible individuals promptly and working towards a more equitable and humane immigration system.

The proposal could potentially benefit an estimated 1.1 million immigrants living in the US illegally who are married to US citizens, according to data from advocacy organization FWD.us. Last year, a coalition of 86 Democrats urged Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to prioritize the protection of spouses of US citizens and establish a family reunification process for those outside the country.

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