WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — President Joe Biden announced new protections for undocumented spouses and kids on Tuesday.
“I refuse to believe that to secure our border, we have to walk away from being an American,” Biden said.
The policy protects the spouses of U.S citizens from deportation and allows them to obtain work authorization, as long as they have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years as of Monday.
“It doesn’t tear families apart while requiring every undocumented spouse to fill their obligation under the law,” Biden said.
It will also streamline work visa access for dreamers, kids whose parents illegally brought them to the U.S.
“So many of them have graduated from high school and college and are starting families on their own. Building successful careers, serving our nation in uniform and so, so much more,” Biden said.
Over on Capitol Hill, Democrats like Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) celebrated this move by the president.
“It’s going to help keep hundreds of thousands of families together. That’s what it does, bring families together,” Schumer said.
However, Republicans like Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) argue this policy sends a message to those who want to get into the U.S.
“They’re going to say, well, if I can just make it to the United States, I’m going to be able to stay, and eventually I’m going to get a green card and probably end up being a U.S. citizen,” Cornyn said.
“President Biden has rolled out the red carpet for illegal migrants,” Ernst said.
This change will impact more than 500,000 undocumented spouses and more than 50,000 dreamers.