The Blubber

The Biden administration is considering providing work permits or deportation relief to millions of undocumented immigrants who have lived and worked in the U.S. for a long time, per WSJ.


The White House is considering options to grant temporary legal status and work permits to immigrants in the U.S. illegally who are married to American citizens, according to three sources familiar with the matter. This move could energize some Democrats ahead of the November elections.

Democratic lawmakers and advocacy groups have been urging President Joe Biden to protect immigrants in the country illegally, as Biden also looks into executive actions to reduce illegal border crossings.

Immigration has become a major concern for voters, particularly among Republicans, leading up to the November 5 election between Biden and his Republican predecessor, Donald Trump. Trump has criticized Biden's less restrictive policies, claiming they have contributed to a rise in illegal immigration.

In recent months, the White House has considered the option of executive actions to block migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border if crossings reach a certain threshold, a move that has drawn criticism from some Democrats and advocates.

The Biden administration has also explored the potential use of "parole in place" for spouses of U.S. citizens, according to the sources, who requested anonymity to discuss internal discussions. This temporary status would grant access to work permits and possibly a path to citizenship. However, no actions have been finalized or are imminent, the sources said.

A White House spokesperson stated that the administration is constantly evaluating policy options but declined to confirm specific actions under consideration. The spokesperson emphasized the administration's commitment to ensuring that those eligible for relief can receive it promptly and to building a more fair and humane immigration system.

An estimated 1.1 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally are married to U.S. citizens, according to data from advocacy organization FWD.us. Last year, a group of 86 Democrats sent a letter to Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas urging them to protect spouses of U.S. citizens and establish a family reunification process for those outside the country.

Allyson Batista, a U.S. citizen from Philadelphia, spoke at an advocacy press conference on Monday, highlighting her Brazilian-born husband's lack of legal immigration status after 20 years of marriage. Batista, who has three children with her husband and runs a construction company with him, pleaded with Biden to take action, expressing fear of separation if an unfriendly administration takes office again.