In a move that may invigorate certain Democrats ahead of the November elections, the Joe Biden administration is considering giving temporary legal status and work permits to undocumented immigrants in the US who are married to American citizens, according to a Reuters report, citing three sources familiar with the matter.
The possible moves by the Biden administration were first reported by the The Wall Street Journal.
Democratic legislators and advocacy organisations have urged President Biden to safeguard immigrants within the nation, even as he contemplates executive measures to mitigate illegal border crossings.
Immigration has become a paramount issue for voters, particularly Republicans, leading up to the 5 November election that will see Biden, a Democrat, facing off against his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump.
Trump has attributed a surge in illegal immigration to Biden’s more lenient policies. In recent months, the White House has explored the potential for executive actions to impede migrants at the US-Mexico border should crossings surpass a designated threshold, drawing backlash from certain Democrats and advocates.
The Biden administration also has examined the possible use of “parole in place” for spouses of US citizens, the sources said, requesting anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
The temporary status would provide access to work permits and potentially a path to citizenship. No actions are imminent or finalised, the sources said.
A White House spokesperson said the administration “is constantly evaluating possible policy options” but declined to confirm discussions around specific actions.
“The administration remains committed to ensuring those who are eligible for relief can receive it quickly and to building an immigration system that is fairer and more humane,” Reuters quoted the spokesperson as saying.
An estimated 1.1 million immigrants in the US illegally are married to US citizens, according to data by advocacy organization FWD.us.
A group of 86 Democrats sent a letter, opens new tab to Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas last year urging them to protect spouses of US citizens and create a family reunification process for those outside the country.
Speaking at an advocacy press conference in Washington on Monday, Philadelphia resident and US citizen Allyson Batista said her Brazilian-born husband still lacks legal immigration status after 20 years of marriage.
Batista and her husband have three children together and run a construction company, she said, pleading with Biden to act.
“Year after year, we continue to live in trauma and fear of separation,” she said, “especially if an unfriendly administration takes over again.”
With inputs from agencies
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