Wisconsin locals chime in on Biden's new immigration policy announcement; here's how it works
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- President Joe Biden unveiled a new immigration plan on Tuesday that could allow hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants already living in the United States to become legal residents.
The announcement comes on the heels of former President Donald Trump campaigning in Racine Tuesday, and on the 12th anniversary of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) -- a policy that temporarily helps immigrants brought to the country as children.
The policy known as Parole in Place would grant a path to citizenship to about 500,000 unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.
As it stands, the process to become a citizen in the U.S. can take years and the Biden administration is hoping to make that process a little easier for spouses of American citizens, their children, and DACA recipients.
"I grew up with parents that were in the same situation, so it is that same fear that you have as a child, coming home and them not being there," a Wisconsin woman told CBS 58 News.
The woman, who did not want to be identified for security reasons, expressed that because she is a U.S. citizen and her husband is not, they've had to hit pause on any plans to grow a family.
"I think it's just really important to see that they are being more flexible and more lenient for people that aren't committing any crimes and are working," she said.
In his announcement on Tuesday afternoon, President Biden ended his speech, saying, "we're a country of immigrants, we have to remember that."
The new policy applies to those who are married to American citizens and have lived in the country for at least 10 years.
According to CBS News, "the policy is also expected to benefit an estimated 50,000 immigrant children with a parent who is married to a U.S. citizen, officials said. Undocumented stepchildren of U.S. citizens — who must also leave the country to obtain green cards — will be eligible to apply for the parole process if they are under the age of 21."
In addition, the policy would grant a pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients, and other undocumented immigrants who have graduated from U.S. colleges, to more easily obtain employment-based visas like the H-1B visas for high-skilled workers.
"I've heard hundreds of stories from families of good, hard-working people, faith-based church-going people who have been torn apart, and it's devastating to see," Darryl Morin told CBS 58 News via Zoom from Washington D.C.
Morin is the president and CEO of the nonprofit Forward Latino, and he flew early Tuesday morning to the White House to be part of President Biden's announcement.
"We're so pleased the conversation has shifted, at least temporarily, from border enforcement to addressing the immigrant population that we have here in the United States," he added.
Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump slammed Biden's remarks at a rally in Racine on Tuesday afternoon.
"We will not be fighting for the Biden illegals, as I call them," Trump said.
A senior administration official said the government is expected to start taking applications by the end of the summer, though the policy is expected to face legal challenges.