Decision of the Biden Administration to Legalize Some Asylum Seekers and Other Undocumented Immigrants
In one of the most ambitious immigration initiatives in recent memory, the Biden administration is set to announce one of the biggest immigration relief measures for undocumented Immigrants. This program seeks to provide green cards to hundreds of thousands of unlawful immigrants who have been residing in the United States for at least 10 years. The new policy that insiders have nicknamed “Parole in Place” holds the potential of changing many people’s lives for the better.
Key Features of the “Parole in Place” Program
According to insiders, Barack Obama and his administration will introduce the “Parole in Place” program that will issue work authorization and deportation relief to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. This proposal stands out because it is relatively comprehensive, and many of the undocumented immigrants who could benefit from it have established their homes and families in the U.S. over the past decade.
Perhaps the most revolutionary part of this proposal is its provision to establish a path to legal residency and U.S. citizenship. As of now, the current law in the United States does not allow individuals who immigrated to the country, particularly the undocumented, to apply for green cards without the need to travel back to their home country. The “Parole in Place” program is designed to address this challenge and make it easier for individuals to obtain legal residency and ultimately a green card and citizenship in this country.
Efficient Path for Dreamers and Skilled Immigration
Other than the “Parole in Place” plan, the Biden administration is also coming up with ways on how to also ease the process of requesting waivers for DREAMers and other undocumented immigrants. This would help them secure the needed temporary visa, like the H-1B visa for highly skilled workers. Through easing such processes, the administration’s goal is to keep such talents and offer chances for other undocumented individuals to help in boosting the U.S. economy and other aspects of the community.
Historical Background and Political Consequences
The official introduction of the “Parole in Place” program is to happen on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the implementation of the DACA program. DACA, initiated by the Obama administration in 2012, grants work and deportation relief to around 530,000 unlawful immigrants who arrived in the U.S. as children. The program under Biden’s administration is expected to be an even larger relief effort than DACA and may affect a considerable portion of the approximately 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the United States.
Anticipated Challenges and Opposition
Similar to previous policies on immigration, there will be continued resistance in the implementation of the “Parole in Place” program, especially from Republican politicians and states. Opponents say that they would only worsen conditions along the border and call the policy an “amnesty” to illegal residents in America. The bill has not been well received by Republican Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, an influential figure in the Senate’s border security discussions who believes that the policy will only exacerbate confusion.
Amendments are also expected, like in the case of Biden’s recent executive measures regarding the asylum seekers. However, the administration is still determined to face the challenges in the immigration system in the United States, especially with the inability of the Congress to pass the Immigration Reform Act.
Possible advantages and the impact on the population
Nevertheless, the challenges could arise with the “Parole in Place” program, which could have profound impacts for Latino voters and families with members of different immigration statuses in the United States. Experts in political science argue that this policy could help boost the support that Biden receives from such demographics owing to the assurance that the policy offers. Furthermore, the program puts in focus the administration’s general policy imperative of rational and compassionate approaches to immigration.
Since 2001, there has been a somewhat less expansive program known as “Parole in Place” for military families. This policy enables the immediate relative of a current or former U.S. service member or veteran who is an undocumented immigrant to become a legal permanent resident, or get a green card, without having to return to their home country. Extending this program to a wider community can be regarded as an important indication of the inclusive immigration policy.
Conclusion
The Biden administration’s “Parole in Place” program is unprecedented and speaks of progressive change in U.S. immigration policy. This effort of providing American citizenship to undocumented immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for at least ten years seeks to solve numerous problems that have persisted within the immigration sector. Although one can expect certain controversies and oppositions, the positive impact for those involved and their families is undeniably significant. Before the current administration rolls out this historic policy, the lives of many of the undocumented individuals in this country can drastically improve.
