Biden considers offering work permits and benefits to undocumented immigrants

President Joe Biden is set to host a White House event next week to celebrate an Obama-era directive that provided deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. Meanwhile, his administration is considering new benefits for individuals without legal status but with established ties in the U.S.

White House officials are finalizing a plan that would utilize Biden’s executive powers to protect spouses of U.S. citizens without legal status from deportation, grant them work permits, facilitate their path to permanent residency, and ultimately U.S. citizenship. These potential actions may be announced as early as next week, although final decisions have not yet been made. Biden, currently at the G7 summit in Italy, has not given his final approval for the proposal.

The president hinted last week during the implementation of stricter asylum claim measures at the border that more favorable actions would be announced, aligning with advocates’ desires for immigration system reform.

To protect spouses of Americans, the administration is likely to implement a process called “parole-in-place,” offering deportation shields, work permits, and a pathway to citizenship. Similar measures have been applied to other groups, such as members of the U.S. military who lack legal status.

Advocates are lobbying for benefits for caregivers without legal status who support American family members with specific needs or disabilities, although this provision is less likely to be included. The White House is also planning an event to commemorate the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program on Tuesday.