Biden Admin to Issue Protection for Unauthorized Migrants Married to US Citizens

The Biden administration is taking executive action to allow unauthorized migrants whose spouses are U.S. citizens to remain in the country and work legally.

The Details: The action will protect roughly 500,000 who have lived in the U.S. for over 10 years from deportation, and will happen as part of an existing program that provides documentation to immediate family members of military servicemembers. It will also make the path to securing a Green Card or U.S. citizenship easier for the affected, per media reporting.

For Context: The move comes weeks after the administration implemented a crackdown on asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. It was announced Tuesday on the 12-year anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Key Quotes: The White House said in a statement, “(President Biden) believes in expanding lawful pathways and keeping families together, and that immigrants who have been in the United States for decades, paying taxes and contributing to their communities, are part of the social fabric of our country.”

How The Media Covered It: The Hill (Center bias) wrote that “Neither measure came as a surprise: For months, immigration advocates had been dreading the border security initiative and eagerly awaiting the relief measure.” Washington Examiner (Lean Right bias) included perspectives from both supporters and critics of the action. NBC News (Left bias) said the changes are “likely to be challenged in court.”