Latest News on Immigration Reform Under the Biden Administration
Introduction
Biden Administration Immigration Reform. The Biden administration has recently taken significant steps toward immigration reform, focusing on promoting family unity, enhancing border security, and protecting vulnerable populations. These efforts address various facets of the immigration system, from legal status adjustments to asylum process improvements.
Promoting Family Unity
One of the notable measures includes a new process announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to keep families together. This initiative allows noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens, who have been continuously present in the U.S. for at least 10 years, to apply for lawful permanent residence without leaving the country. DHS estimates that around 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen children could benefit from this process. This initiative aims to reduce the prolonged separation that families often face during the immigration process and enhance stability and security for mixed-status families (USCIS) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
Enhancing Border Security
Biden Administration Immigration Reform
In parallel with efforts to promote family unity, the administration has also focused on bolstering border security. New executive actions have been implemented to bar migrants who unlawfully cross the southern border from receiving asylum when encounters are high. Additionally, the administration has deployed more law enforcement personnel and technology to the border, seized record amounts of fentanyl at ports of entry, and expanded efforts to dismantle human smuggling networks (The White House).
Streamlining the Asylum Process
The DHS has proposed a new rule to streamline the asylum process and enhance national security. This rule allows asylum officers to apply statutory bars to asylum, such as those related to national security or public safety risks, much earlier in the process. This change aims to expedite the removal of individuals who pose a threat to the U.S. and shorten the time between their encounter and removal (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
Protecting DACA Recipients
The administration continues to support Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients. Measures include extending Affordable Care Act coverage to DACA recipients and creating new pathways for young people educated in the U.S. to contribute to the economy. These actions are part of a broader effort to ensure stability for long-term undocumented residents and protect vulnerable immigrant populations (The White House).
Legislative Challenges and Future Prospects
The administration has taken these steps using executive actions and existing authorities. Comprehensive immigration reform requires legislative action from Congress. Despite repeated calls from President Biden, congressional gridlock has stalled broader immigration reforms. The administration’s actions highlight the need for a holistic approach to address the complexities of the U.S. immigration system (U.S. Department of Homeland Security) (U.S. Department of Homeland Security).
Biden Administration Immigration Reform
Conclusion
The Biden administration’s recent initiatives reflect a commitment to addressing critical issues within the U.S. immigration system. By promoting family unity, enhancing border security, and streamlining asylum processes. And protecting DACA recipients, the administration aims to create a more humane and efficient immigration system. However, significant legislative changes are necessary to achieve comprehensive reform and address the systemic challenges that persist.
Carlvin Sauerbrei
Emmaline Nilo