Biden Protects 500,000 Undocumented Spouses From Deportation: Why It's A Relief For Indian Families?

US President Joe Biden is set to announce a new protection program for undocumented spouses of American citizens on Tuesday.

This program, which targets individuals living in the US illegally but married to American citizens, is designed to shield them from deportation, grant them work permits, and offer a pathway to citizenship, according to The New York Times.

Biden Protects 500,000 Undocumented Spouses From Deportation

Approximately 500,000 undocumented immigrants are expected to be protected from deportation under the 'Parole in Place' program, as reported by NBC News. The program to protect spouses from deportation is anticipated to benefit the Indian community. Biden's announcement is expected to alleviate deportation fears among Indians living in mixed-status households.

President Biden's move comes amid varying political pressures surrounding immigration policy in the US. While stricter border controls are advocated by some Americans, this initiative is intended to underscore Biden's commitment to implementing humane immigration reforms.

Work permit granted on a case-by-case basis

The 'Parole in Place' program aims to simplify the process for certain undocumented immigrants to obtain a green card and pursue US citizenship. Work permits will be allowed to be obtained by undocumented spouses on a case-by-case basis, according to NBC News.

Eligibility for the "Parole in Place" program will be extended to undocumented spouses who have been married to US citizens for at least ten years. This initiative is aimed at streamlining the process for obtaining work permits and pursuing a green card, offering a viable pathway to legal residency, as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

Currently, significant barriers exist for individuals residing in the US without legal status for a year or more to obtain legal status, including a requirement to leave the country for ten years. It has been argued by advocates that this policy has prevented millions from securing legal residency despite being married to US citizens.

In addition to the "Parole in Place" program, measures will be introduced by President Biden to support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. The initiative aims to help undocumented immigrants who entered the US as children find employment in fields related to their academic degrees, reported NBC News.

Former President Donald Trump criticized Biden's new immigration policies, labelling them as "unsustainable" in a post on Truth Social. A tougher stance on border security was vowed by Trump, who pledged to deport undocumented immigrants if elected.