President Joe Biden and White House officials recently announced sweeping changes to US immigration policy. In the coming months, the Biden administration plans to allow certain spouses and children of US citizens to attain US lawful permanent residence. This plan only applies to the spouses and children who snuck into the country illegally—and takes out a major step in the process that previously barred them from entering the US for 3-10 years.
What Does Biden’s New Immigration Plan Do?
The immigration reform announced by the Biden administration specifically allows the spouses and children of US citizens to apply for US lawful permanent residency without needing to first exit the country for an extended period of time. Previously, if these individuals left the US for any reason, they were barred from entering the US for 3-10 years. Now, instead of leaving the country, these spouses and children will be permitted to apply for US lawful permanent residency status and eventually citizenship status here in the United States.
The plan was formally announced in mid-June and is projected to impact upwards of half a million people. It is expected that, due to the uncertainty of the upcoming election, Latino organizations will work quickly to get as many eligible people as possible to apply to the program prior to a potential change in the Executive Branch.
Election Uncertainty Raises Questions About Biden’s Immigration Plan
With that in mind, it is worth noting that the upcoming presidential election will make or break this and other progressive immigration reforms. While President Biden’s administration has taken a hard line on the Southern Border at times, this is the most sweeping and progressive reform his administration has implemented.
It is highly likely that a second Donald Trump term in the White House would mean immediately rolling back this and other recent reforms. The Trump campaign and supporters have echoed certain anti-immigration talking points that indicate a return to strict border and immigration policies.
One of the biggest concerns about this would be a Trump rollback, immediately giving ICE agents the names and locations of those who have applied under the program, which could result in the swift implementation of deportation procedures. This creates risk as families will have to decide between attempting to take advantage of the new eligibility potential and protecting privacy while in the United States illegally.
Making the Right Immigration Choices for Your Family
Sudden policy changes and major election questions create urgency for immigrants and their families. This plan by the Biden administration, which is an even bigger shift than DACA, highlights how quickly circumstances and eligibility for residency and citizenship status can change—which is mirrored by likely widespread changes should Donald Trump win the upcoming election.
It is imperative that you and your family make the right choices based on the policies in place and your circumstances. At Valvo & Associates, we work with businesses and individuals to help them understand government policies and programs and connect families with the right tools to make sound immigration decisions. Contact our office today to better understand these and other changes that impact you, your family, and your business.