Democratic lawmakers are urging President Biden to grant amnesty to undocumented migrants before they could potentially face deportation by a future Trump administration. Over 80 lawmakers signed a letter to Biden, asking him to take steps to provide lawful status to immigrants and ensure stability for American businesses, communities, and families that depend on them. The letter comes as the White House continues to deal with the border crisis, where over 7 million illegal immigrants have crossed into the U.S. since Biden took office in 2021.
As the administration works on measures to address the border crisis, the lawmakers are concerned with the potential impact of a victory for former President Trump in the next election. They argue that deporting all undocumented individuals, as Trump has threatened to do, would harm the American economy and families. Instead, they recommend streamlining pathways for immigrants with no criminal history and strong ties to the U.S. to obtain parole or lawful immigration status, which would bring stability to families, ensure taxes are paid, and require regular check-ins with the U.S. government.
Among the specific steps suggested by lawmakers are streamlining the process for DACA recipients to update their legal status, allowing spouses of Americans to work while green card applications are pending, and creating a process to grant parole to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. The lawmakers are pushing for action now to protect the legal status of millions of undocumented migrants in case Trump wins the presidency again and follows through on his promise to deport millions of immigrants, potentially involving the use of the National Guard for enforcement.
The possibility of Trump regaining the presidency has become more realistic, with polls showing him leading in key battleground states. Some lawmakers are advocating for action now to provide relief for undocumented immigrants and the American businesses, families, and communities that rely on them. The letter to President Biden concludes with a plea for him to take concrete steps to protect the legal status of immigrants, given the potential threat of a Trump administration in the future.
The White House and the Biden campaign have not yet responded to requests for comment on this issue. The push for amnesty for undocumented migrants reflects ongoing debates and tensions over immigration policy in the U.S., with Democrats advocating for a more compassionate approach while Republicans, including Trump, focus on border security and enforcement measures. The outcome of this debate will have far-reaching implications for immigrant communities, American businesses, and the overall social fabric of the country.
