Biden’s New Immigration Policy Could Sway Key Swing States in 2024
Rodrigo de la Rosa, who crossed the U.S.-Mexico border at just five years old, has spent most of his life in South Phoenix, Arizona, living what he considered a “regular American life” until his teenage years when he discovered he was undocumented. This realization became particularly stark when he turned 16 and found himself unable to secure a regular job, highlighting the limitations he faced due to his immigration status.
His situation, however, has recently taken a hopeful turn thanks to a new program under the Biden administration. This initiative, which allows undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens to regularize their status without leaving the country, is expected to impact approximately 500,000 immigrants and their children. According to a report by NBC News, this policy could significantly reshape the lives of those affected.
A New Path to Legalization
The Biden administration’s program, which officially began accepting applications this week, is a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. To qualify, applicants must have been married to a U.S. citizen before June 17, 2024, have no disqualifying criminal record, and have lived continuously in the U.S. for at least ten years. Those who are approved will receive “parole in place,” a legal status that protects them from deportation and opens the door to applying for work permits, green cards, and eventually, citizenship.
For de la Rosa and his wife, Ashley de Alba, this program offers the possibility of a profound change in their lives. De Alba, who is seven months pregnant with their first child, sees the program as an opportunity for her husband to secure stable employment, complete with health insurance and retirement benefits. Additionally, this new status could allow them to engage in joint financial ventures, travel internationally, and even realize their dream of a traditional wedding in Mexico.
Political Implications in Swing States
The significance of this program extends beyond individual families, particularly in swing states like Arizona, where de la Rosa and de Alba reside. De Alba, who voted for Donald Trump in 2020, now finds herself reconsidering her political stance in light of this new policy. The fact that this program was introduced under Biden’s administration has made her more inclined to consider the Democratic ticket in the upcoming election, particularly as Vice President Kamala Harris now leads the race.
Arizona is home to an estimated 15,000 people eligible for parole in place, and while they cannot vote themselves, their U.S. citizen spouses and extended communities can. Given that Biden won Arizona by just over 10,000 votes in 2020, the potential political impact of this policy could be substantial.
Comparisons to DACA and Legal Challenges
Immigration advocates are comparing this program to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) introduced in 2012, viewing it as the most significant relief for undocumented immigrants since that time. However, like DACA, this program was implemented through executive action, making it vulnerable to legal challenges and possible reversal by a future administration. Prominent Republicans, including Trump and Senator Josh Hawley, have already criticized the program, labeling it “mass amnesty” and “lawless.”
Despite the risks, many families see this as a long-overdue rectification of injustices they’ve faced for years. De Alba, for example, questions the fairness of her husband being denied opportunities solely because of his birthplace, even though he has spent his entire adult life contributing to the U.S. economy through work and taxes.
What Lies Ahead
As the 2024 election approaches, the permanence of this program remains uncertain. Will it become a lasting policy change, or is it merely a temporary political strategy? For families like the de la Rosas, the answer to this question could determine not only their voting decisions but also their future in America.
