In a significant move, President Joe Biden is preparing to announce an extensive executive action aimed at shielding undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation and allowing them to work legally in the country as they pursue citizenship. The policy, known as “parole in place”, would apply to individuals who have been living in the United States for 10 years and would utilize an existing legal authority that offers deportation protections. Hundreds of thousands of people could be affected by the moves, with a ripple effect among spouses, children, extended family and friends predominantly Latinos. This action comes after Biden took restrictive steps to limit asylum processing at the US southern border earlier this month. The measures could amount to the federal government's most significant relief program since the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Biden is expected to hold an event marking the anniversary of DACA on Tuesday, and plans to unveil a pathway to work visas for DACA recipients who meet certain criteria. The moves are expected to be challenged in court.
