Biden-Harris Administration Launches New ‘Amnesty’ Initiative for Illegal Migrants Amidst DNC
The administration of President Biden and Vice President Harris has initiated a program for illegal immigrants, deemed by critics as an ‘amnesty’. The launching of the program interestingly coincides with the week of the Democratic National Convention.
According to official sources, the newly introduced plan, named “Keeping Families Together”, will make approximately 500,000 noncitizen spouses and an additional 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens eligible for parole.
What Does the New Program Imply?
The program implies that noncitizens who are present in the United States without official approval or parole can now be taken into consideration for parole under this new process. To clarify, admission refers to official authorization to be in the country through a green card, visa, or other legal means.
Experts have weighed in, identifying this move as a massive amnesty that contradicts the authorizations of the Congress. Speaking on the alarming potential expansion of the program, a former immigration judge, expressed possible concerns that under this administration, everyone in the country illegally could eventually be eligible for a process like this.
It was also projected that with the initiation of such administrative amnesties, the ensuing repercussions would be overwhelming for the opposition to overturn.
DACA vs “Keeping Families Together”
The implications of this practice can be compared to the 2012 executive action, Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals (DACA), by the Obama administration. DACA provided legal status to the children of illegal immigrants. The resemblance between both programs was highlighted by several critics, raising questions about the future of immigration policy in the country.
Eligibility Criteria and Conflicting Details
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), while detailing the eligibility criteria for the “Keeping Families Together” program mentions that the spouse must have resided physically in the U.S. for ten years with no criminal history. These individuals also should not be considered a threat to public safety, national security, or border security. Additionally, they will be required to undergo background checks.
Safety measures are in place for noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens too, who must have been under the age of 21 since the executive action was first announced, have a noncitizen parent married to a U.S. citizen before the declaration and have no disqualifying criminal history.
Interestingly, even if an applicant possesses a criminal record, USCIS states that these individuals can become eligible by demonstrating positive factors or showing they merit favorable discretion.
Implications for Illegal Immigrants in Removal Proceedings
Further, the organization affirmed that illegal immigrants currently in the midst of removal proceedings could still be eligible for parole under this process, subject to specific clauses and conditions.
Unfolding Controversies and Scrutiny
This new immigration policy has stirred heated debates among the public and policymakers alike. Critics claim that such measures could potentially encourage more illegal immigration, undermining the rule of law. On the other hand, supporters maintain that the policy is a sensible humanitarian measure to keep families united and strive for a more inclusive society. As debates continue, it remains to be seen how this policy will evolve and to what extent it would impact America’s immigration landscape.
