The Biden-Harris administration has implemented a program that critics are calling an amnesty for illegal immigrants. The program, known as "Keeping Families Together," will allow an estimated 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for parole.
CHICAGO – In the wake of the Democratic National Convention, migrants from Venezuela and Cuba who have sought shelter in the Windy City are sharing their experiences of finding work in the host city.
The Biden-Harris administration has launched a program called "Keeping Families Together," which has been met with criticism from opponents who label it an amnesty for undocumented immigrants. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) describes the program's purpose as keeping families together by allowing an estimated 500,000 noncitizen spouses and 50,000 noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens to qualify for parole.
Biden Administration's "Keeping Families Together" Program: An Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
"This is a massive amnesty that Congress never authorized," said Andrew Arthur, resident fellow in law and policy at the Center for Immigration Studies. "Under a Harris-Walz administration, everybody in the country illegally could eventually be eligible for a process like this, holding Republicans' feet to the fire to undo it thereafter."
However, Arthur acknowledges the difficulty of reversing administrative amnesties, as demonstrated by DACA (Deferred Action on Childhood Arrivals), a 2012 executive action by President Barack Obama's administration that provided legal status to the children of undocumented immigrants.
Biden Administration's "Keeping Families Together" Program: An Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
For the "Keeping Families Together" program, USCIS requires that spouses have been physically present in the United States for 10 years "without admission or parole," have no disqualifying criminal history, and pass background checks. Noncitizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens must have been under 21 since the executive action was announced in June, have a noncitizen parent married to a U.S. citizen before June, and have no disqualifying criminal history.
Even the criminal history requirement has a caveat, as USCIS states that applicants with criminal records can become eligible by "demonstrating positive factors that can be considered in overcoming this presumption and showing that they warrant a favorable exercise of discretion."
Biden Administration's "Keeping Families Together" Program: An Amnesty for Illegal Immigrants
Additionally, illegal immigrants in the middle of removal proceedings may still be granted parole under the process.
"If you have a final unexecuted removal order, non-disqualifying criminal history, or other derogatory information in your case, you may provide additional documentation that you believe demonstrates your parole is warranted based on a significant public benefit or urgent humanitarian reasons, and that you merit a favorable exercise of discretion," USCIS explains.
Some of the migrants seeking work in Chicago have expressed optimism about the program.
"I'm hoping that this program will give me a chance to stay in the United States with my family," said a Venezuelan migrant who wished to remain anonymous. "I've been working hard to provide for my family, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to work legally."
Others are more skeptical.
"I'm worried that this program is just a temporary solution," said a Cuban migrant. "I don't want to become dependent on government assistance. I want to be able to work and support myself and my family."
The impact of the "Keeping Families Together" program remains to be seen. However, the program has sparked debate about the future of immigration policy in the United States.
