The White House is considering avenues to grant temporary legal status and work permits to undocumented immigrants married to American citizens, a move that could galvanize Democratic support ahead of the November elections, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
Pressure from Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups has intensified on President Joe Biden to enact measures safeguarding undocumented immigrants while simultaneously addressing the issue of illegal border crossings through potential executive actions.
Immigration has emerged as a pivotal concern for voters, particularly Republicans, leading up to the November 5 election, with former President Donald Trump attributing a surge in illegal immigration to Biden’s perceived leniency.
Recent deliberations within the White House have explored executive actions, including the potential use of “parole in place” for spouses of U.S. citizens, granting them temporary status with access to work permits and a possible path to citizenship, sources revealed on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the discussions. However, no definitive actions have been decided upon yet.
While a White House spokesperson refrained from confirming specific actions, they affirmed the administration’s commitment to evaluating policy options to ensure swift relief for eligible individuals and to establish a more equitable and compassionate immigration system.
According to data from advocacy organization FWD.us, an estimated 1.1 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S. are married to American citizens, highlighting the scale of the issue.
Last year, a coalition of 86 Democrats urged Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas to prioritize the protection of spouses of U.S. citizens and establish mechanisms for family reunification for those residing outside the country.
At a press conference in Washington, Allyson Batista, a Philadelphia resident and U.S. citizen, shared her family’s plight, revealing that her Brazilian-born husband, despite 20 years of marriage, still lacks legal immigration status. Batista, who runs a construction company with her husband and has three children, implored Biden to take action, emphasizing the ongoing trauma and fear of separation, particularly under the specter of a less accommodating administration returning to power.
The potential measures under consideration underscore the complex intersection of immigration policy, family unity, and political dynamics shaping the discourse around immigration reform in the United States
