After nearly a decade of living in fear that he might be forever separated from his U.S. citizen wife, Alex Paz Medrano was giving thanks on Tuesday as President Joe Biden announced a plan for them to stay together.
Biden announced an executive action to protect about half a million undocumented spouses of American citizens from deportation.
Anticipated for months, the plan drew applause and excitement among immigration advocates and many Democrats who have been pressing Biden to take the step.
“We all want to better ourselves, we all want progress for our families and I’m very grateful in the name of the … people who will benefit by having greater opportunities,” Paz Medrano said.
Medrano, of Hanover, Pennsylvania, immigrated from Mexico in 2005 and has been married to a U.S. citizen since 2016.
Immigration advocates and Democrats said that Biden’s actions can help mobilize a substantial segment of Latino and other voters who support protecting longtime immigrants from deportation and family separation — despite growing support among voters for stronger border measures.
“I have many employees who are in that situation — it is going to be a big help for many people,” said Pedro Zamora of New York, who owns several restaurants and nightclubs and employs about 400 people, including some with spouses who are undocumented. Zamora had advocated in Washington for the policy change.
Biden announced that when the plan is enacted, spouses of U.S. citizens who are undocumented and have been in the U.S. at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024, would be able to apply for legal permanent residency. In a major departure from current practice, spouses without legal status will be able to apply from the U.S. and not be required to go back to their native countries, which has resulted in long-term separations.
Biden also announced plans to make it easier for some immigrants who are college graduates, including those in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or…
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