Immigrant advocacy groups applaud Biden’s new policies for DACA recipients and families
ON the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program on Tuesday, June 18, President Joseph R. Biden announced two significant immigration actions, reinforcing his commitment to immigrant communities. Eligible spouses and children of U.S. citizens, who have lived in the U.S. for over ten years, will no longer need to leave the country while applying for a green card. They can remain with their families, work legally, and receive protection from deportation during the process.
Additionally, Dreamers with a degree from a U.S. college or university and a job offer from a U.S. employer can now swiftly secure a work visa.
Many Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) families and communities stand to benefit from these measures, where 1.7 million AAPIs are undocumented, comprising almost 1 in 5 undocumented individuals living in the U.S.
“While today’s actions are a significant step forward, there is more work to be done to fix our broken immigration system. That includes the need for a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers. President Biden and I continue to call on the United States Congress to join us in acting by passing permanent protections for Dreamers,” Vice President Kamala Harris said in a statement.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC commended the new policies, which are expected to bring stability to many undocumented immigrants and their families. The White House estimates that around half a million spouses of U.S. citizens and 50,000 immigrant children will benefit from these changes.
In a statement, AAJC said, “These policies are momentous for hundreds of thousands of families, including many Asian Americans. They will bring much-needed stability, not just for undocumented immigrants and DACA recipients who have been waiting years for immigration reform, but also for their spouses and families. Many families who have feared permanent separation can now breathe a sigh of relief.”
The AAJC stressed the significance of these policies in providing relief to families who have feared permanent separation and called for further reforms to address longstanding issues in the immigration system. They noted that many Asian immigrants might not qualify due to entry method provisions, leaving numerous families still in the shadows without a path to permanent status.
The organization urged continued efforts toward comprehensive immigration reform that includes pathways to citizenship for all immigrants, including DACA recipients, Temporary Protected Status holders, and essential workers. They highlighted the importance of welcoming policies that keep families together and uphold the U.S.’s moral and prosperous standing.
Juliet K. Choi, President & CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), praised the Biden administration’s ongoing efforts to improve conditions for immigrant communities. She highlighted the expedited work visa process for DACA recipients, which reduces the waiting period from six months to two weeks, significantly benefiting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, which represents about ten percent of DACA recipients.
“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent about ten percent of DACA recipients, and half of all DACA recipients are college graduates. This new process will expedite their work visa from six months to two weeks,” Choi said. “The administration’s announcement to keep families together and working during the green card process underscores the president’s commitment to our values and makes America safer and stronger.”
Choi also emphasized the importance of these actions in keeping families together and reinforcing America’s values of safety and strength. The administration’s decision aligns with President Biden’s earlier expansion of health coverage for DACA recipients through the Health Insurance Marketplace.
“NAPAWF applauds the Biden administration for today’s immigration relief announcements. These necessary steps ensure that our community members can gain legal status, access essential health benefits, and lead more complete lives. Undocumented spouses and DACA-mented youth, have for too long lived in the shadows and borne the brunt of our broken immigration system,” Sung Yeon Choimorrow, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) Executive Director said.
“While these announcements are a step in the right direction, this is only the beginning. The majority of Americans support pathways to citizenship. There is still much more that needs to be done to guarantee that everyone, regardless of their immigration status, can live full and healthy lives in America. Our organization will continue to advocate for justice for all members of our community.”
These announcements by the Biden administration represent a step forward in supporting immigrant communities and addressing the complex challenges they face, but they also underscore the need for ongoing advocacy and legislative action to achieve lasting, meaningful reform. (Momar G. Visaya/AJPress) n
