New Controversial Amnesty Program Allegedly unveils by Biden-Harris Administration Amidst DNC
During a week filled with intense political activities surrounding the Democratic National Convention, the Biden-Harris administration reportedly launched a new amnesty program for illegal immigrants, details of which are stirring controversy amongst critics.
New Program Branded as ‘Keeping Families Together’
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), responsible for implementing the new initiative, has branded it as a program aimed at “Keeping Families Together.” The initiative is believed to grant parole to an estimated 500,000 noncitizen spouses and another 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens.
Under this scheme, the noncitizens present in the United States, unauthorized or without parole, may apply for parole. The definitions of admission as stipulated by the USCIS refer to acquiring legal authorization to reside in the country, be it through a green card, visa, or any other means.
Significant Move That Escapes Congressional Authorization
“This is a massive amnesty that Congress never authorized,” stated Andrew Arthur, an immigration law expert, and a former immigration judge. Arthur expressed concern about a potential situation where “under a Harris-Walz administration, everybody in the country illegally could eventually be eligible for a process like this.”
Drawing parallels with the 2012 Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals(DACA) program, Arthur added that removing such amnesty programs becomes a tough task, thus leaving the Republicans with a mammoth responsibility of undoing it subsequently.
Underlying Criteria and Caveats in the Amnesty Program
A closer look at the “Keeping Families Together” project shows that eligible spouses must have been physically in the U.S. for 10 years “without admission or parole,” with no disqualifying criminal record or identified threats to public safety, national security, or border security — alongside undergoing mandatory background checks.
Similarly, noncitizen stepchildren vying for eligibility must have been under 21 years of age since the program’s announcement, possess a noncitizen parent married to a U.S. citizen, and have no disqualifying criminal history.
However, the policy does present a wildcard — applicants with a criminal record have a chance at eligibility by “demonstrating positive factors that can be considered in overcoming this presumption and showing that they warrant a favorable exercise of discretion” as per the USCIS.
Potential Impact on Current Removal Procedures
The new initiative could reportedly affect the current removal proceedings, with the USCIS suggesting that illegal immigrants undergoing removal could still secure parole. They would need to show documentation that indicates “a significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons” for the parole to be warranted, casting a wider net over who may avail of the new program benefits.
As debates continue to rage on, the potential amnesty program is set to face deep scrutiny and stern opposition from those critical of looser immigration regulations and procedures. Only time will reveal the impacts of this significant move, both for the administration and for those who the program aims to aid.
Author: STAFF HERE NOVI WRITER
The NOVI STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENovi.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Novi, Oakland County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Motor City Comic Con, Michigan State Fair, and Novi Home and Garden Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Novi Chamber of Commerce and Novi Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in automotive, technology, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Gentherm, Stoneridge, and Daifuku North America. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
