Biden moves to help half a million undocumented people married to citizens
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President Biden in the Oval Office on Monday. Photo: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Half a million undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens may get an easier path to citizenship with a new program announced by President Biden on Tuesday.
Why it matters: Biden has been in hot water with immigrant advocates after restricting asylum access at the border earlier this month.
The big picture: Obtaining legal status after marrying a citizen is a long and cumbersome process that requires people who entered the U.S. without authorization to move to their home country for at least 10 years before they can legally reside in the U.S.
- That means many immigrants don't apply for legal permanent residence, a key requirement to eventually become a citizen, and live in limbo.
Zoom in: Under the proposed rule, roughly 500,000 immigrants in the country without authorization and 50,000 people under 21 years of age whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen will be able to apply for legal permanent status, also known as a green card, without having to leave the country.
- They'll also be eligible for a three-year work permit.
- Eligibility is strict. Applicants will have to prove they have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years before June 17, 2024, and they have to be legally wed.
- They can't be a threat to national security or have prior deportations.
- The Biden administration expects applications to open up by the end of summer, according to a senior official.
Between the lines: The president is under pressure to address a massive influx of people at the southern border as Republicans have made it a key issue ahead of November's election.
- During a background press briefing on Monday, Biden officials zeroed in on the president's border security policies before they talked about the new program shielding spouses of citizens from deportation.
- Still, a White House official says that while securing the border is a priority, Biden "also believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and he has delivered on all these counts."
What they're saying: Immigrant rights groups praised Biden's announcement. Ashley DeAzevedo, president of American Families United, says there is bipartisan support for providing an easier path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have established lives and contribute to the U.S.
- DeAzevedo adds that the announcement will result in a lot of "people really changing their mind and seeing the president as someone compassionate who wants to help families."
Yes, but: Immigrant advocates say they expect legal challenges to the rule, and a future president could also try to undo the action.
The Trump campaign on Tuesday slammed the program, saying it "will undoubtedly lead to a greater surge in migrant crime, cost taxpayers millions of dollars they cannot afford, overwhelm public services, and steal Social Security and Medicare benefits from American seniors."
Reality check: Studies have found immigrants have lower crime rates than U.S. citizens.
- There's no evidence the program will impact seniors' benefits since enrollees would start contributing to the federal tax base by having authorization to work.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated with a statement from the Trump campaign.
