President Biden’s administration is considering a plan that would grant temporary legal status and potentially a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. The plan, known as “parole in place,” would give work permits and protection from deportation to unauthorized immigrants with American citizen spouses. This could eventually lead to eligibility for permanent U.S. residency and citizenship by helping immigrants clear legal hurdles.
The sources familiar with the discussions, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, noted that the final details of the proposal have not been approved or finalized. The plan is likely to benefit long-time undocumented immigrants who have been living in the U.S. for many years. White House spokesperson Angelo Hernandez Fernandez stated that officials are exploring various policy options to address the broken immigration system.
If approved, the parole in place plan would be the latest ambitious move by the Biden administration to address immigration issues amidst congressional gridlock. The plan could benefit a significant portion of the country’s estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants, particularly those with U.S. citizen spouses. Progressive lawmakers and advocates argue that the proposal could also help boost support for Mr. Biden among Latino voters ahead of the upcoming election in November.
Despite potential benefits, the plan may face legal challenges, as the Biden administration has already encountered lawsuits over its use of the parole authority. The plan to grant parole in place would allow unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens to obtain temporary work permits and legal status, potentially enabling them to eventually become permanent U.S. residents and citizens. This would provide an alternative pathway for immigrants who face barriers due to their undocumented status.
The immigration parole authority has been utilized by the Biden administration on a large scale to resettle migrants and refugees from various countries. This same authority could provide relief to certain immigrants already in the U.S. The plan seeks to help undocumented spouses of American citizens navigate existing immigration laws and potentially achieve permanent legal status without needing to leave the country. Since the Bush administration, a parole in place program has been in place for unauthorized immigrants who are immediate relatives of U.S. military members, and Congress reaffirmed this policy in 2020.
Overall, the Biden administration’s consideration of the parole in place plan reflects ongoing efforts to address immigration challenges through executive actions, especially since legislative progress has been stalled for years. If implemented, the plan could have significant implications for the lives of hundreds of thousands of unauthorized immigrants currently residing in the United States. Further developments and potential legal challenges are expected as the administration continues to explore policy options to reform the immigration system.
