After nearly a decade of fearing separation from his U.S. citizen wife, Alex Paz Medrano expressed gratitude on Tuesday when President Joe Biden announced a plan to keep them together.
Biden’s executive action aims to protect around 500,000 undocumented spouses of American citizens from deportation.
This move, long anticipated, was met with enthusiasm from immigration advocates and many Democrats who had urged Biden to take this step.
“We all seek betterment and progress for our families, and I am immensely thankful on behalf of those who will benefit from these opportunities,” said Paz Medrano.
Medrano, from Hanover, Pennsylvania, immigrated from Mexico in 2005 and has been married to a U.S. citizen since 2016.
Immigration advocates and Democrats believe Biden’s actions will mobilize a significant number of Latino and other voters who support protections for longtime immigrants against deportation and family separation, despite rising support for stricter border policies.
Pedro Zamora, a New York business owner, noted, “I have many employees in that situation — it will be a big help for many people.”
Under the new plan, undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens who have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024, can apply for legal permanent residency without leaving the country, preventing long-term separations.
Biden also announced plans to facilitate work visas for certain college graduates, including those under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Bruna Sollod, from the youth immigrant advocacy group United We Dream, said, “Today’s announcement is life-changing for many worried about their safety and future.”
Political Implications of the Executive Action
Biden’s executive action balances a recent move tightening asylum policies, criticized by some but seen by supporters as bringing order to the border. Together, these policies mirror past comprehensive immigration reform bills that failed in Congress.
Carlos Odio of Equis Research described Biden’s approach as aligning with the public’s preference for both border order and protections for longtime residents.
A recent Equis Research poll showed that many voters no longer see Democrats as better at handling immigration, with 49% of non-Hispanic and 41% of Hispanic registered voters trusting Trump more on immigration.
However, “swing” Latino voters might support Biden more if he adopts policies allowing longtime immigrants to stay and work in the U.S. This sentiment is stronger among those who consume Spanish-language media.
Gustavo Torres of CASA in Action predicted Biden’s actions could energize voter turnout in key states like Georgia and Pennsylvania.
Vanessa Cárdenas of America’s Voice emphasized the need for Biden to distinguish his policies from Trump’s, noting that Trump’s adviser Stephen Miller plans to deport the same people Biden aims to protect.
Major Immigration Protections Since DACA
Rep. Nanette Barragán highlighted that Biden’s actions for spouses and anticipated work visas for college-educated immigrants and DACA recipients are the most significant protections since DACA’s introduction in 2012.
During his re-election campaign, Obama faced declining Latino support due to stalled immigration reform and high deportation rates. He created DACA, securing strong Latino support. A similar program, DAPA, was blocked by the courts.
DACA, continuously challenged by Republicans, was targeted by Trump, who limited its beneficiaries by stopping new applications.
America First Legal, founded by Miller, plans to challenge Biden’s policies.
Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador praised Biden’s plan, highlighting its positive impact on Mexican families in the U.S.
“It’s very good news that Mexican families in the United States will be regularized, especially students, young people,” Lopez Obrador said, calling Biden “a man with convictions.”
