What does President Joe Biden’s Latest Immigration Move Mean for Indiana?
Written by Terri Dee, a Volunteer writer
Last month, the White House released a fact sheet on President Biden's strategies to keep immigrant families together while securing the U.S. border. Biden also announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will take action to ensure that U.S. citizens with noncitizen spouses and children can keep their families intact. This new process will help certain noncitizen spouses and children apply for lawful permanent residence – a status that they are already eligible for – without leaving the country. More objectives of Biden’s plan include:
Implementing executive actions to bar migrants who cross the southern U.S. border unlawfully from receiving asylum when encounters are high;
Deploying record numbers of law enforcement personnel, infrastructure, and technology to the southern border;
Seizing record amounts of the dangerous drug fentanyl at entry ports;
Revoking the visas of CEOs and government officials outside of the U.S. who profit from migrants coming to the U.S. unlawfully;
Expanding efforts to diminish and shut down human smuggling networks; and
Prosecuting individuals who violate U.S. immigration laws.
The Day One Immigration Reform Plan the President sent to Congress last month addresses tighter border security while protecting long-term undocumented immigrants. To be eligible, noncitizens must – as of June 17, 2024 – have resided in the United States for 10 or more years and be legally married to a U.S. citizen, while satisfying all applicable legal requirements. Immigrants approved after DHS’s case-by-case assessment of their application will get three years to apply for permanent residency. They will be allowed to remain with their families in the United States and be eligible for work authorization for up to three years. These policies will apply to all married couples who are eligible. This action will protect half a million spouses of U.S. citizens, and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under 21 whose parent is married to a U.S. citizen.
On the heels of President Biden’s immigration plan announcement, the Indiana Attorney General’s office filed a lawsuit on July 8, to dismantle ‘sanctuary cities’ in East Chicago, Gary, Monroe County, and West Lafayette. Sanctuary cities are communities with formal or informal policies that discourage local law enforcement from reporting the immigration status of its residents unless it involves an investigation of a serious crime. Rokita’s complaint requests a trial court mandate that these cities comply with federal immigration law.
Indiana’s immigrants are urged to stay informed about the latest policies regarding their resident status. The country will elect a U.S. president and other policymakers in this November’s elections. Immigration remains one of the top issues of debate. The Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic attorneys and staff are dedicated to serving as a resource for assistance and stand ready to answer your questions and concerns.