Immigration policies in the United States have been the subject of much discussion and controversy in recent years. After years of anti-immigration policies by the Trump administration, the immigration reform is back on the agenda.
In an effort to address the concerns of the population and the needs of immigrants, the Joe Biden administration has implemented a series of policies and programs aimed at reforming the country’s immigration system.
At Jaskot Law, we can advise you about your current situation, and what means you can use to legalize your immigration status.
What is it about?
The immigration reform is an effort to address concerns about illegal immigration and improve the U.S. immigration system. Its goal is to create a path to legal citizenship for undocumented immigrants in the country, and to improve security at the southern border.
Despite the political and economic difficulties, there have already been some reform measures, such as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or the launch of TPS.
In addition, the reform seeks to establish a more efficient system for the admission of foreign workers and reunification of separated families under the Trump administration.
However, immigration reform has been the subject of controversy, and has faced political obstacles. Despite the efforts of some political leaders and immigrant rights advocacy groups, the immigration reform remains elusive.
The lack of political agreement between Democrats and Republicans, coupled with concerns about border security, have been significant obstacles to the implementation of effective immigration reform.
DACA in the spotlight
One of the programs that has been the subject of immigration policy debate is the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. It provides temporary protection from deportation to young immigrants who came to the United States as children. The program also allows them to apply for work permits and access public services.
However, the future of DACA remains uncertain, and has been the subject of much political controversy. Despite this, the program has the support of many political leaders and immigrant rights advocacy groups.
They have advocated for permanent protection for Dreamers, although, after the latest failure of the immigration plan in December 2022, the outlook appears to be highly uncertain.
What is needed to consolidate the reform?
In order to effectively address immigration policies in the United States, long-term solutions to migration are needed. This requires an agreement between Democrats and Republicans. The question is: would that be possible?
While Joe Biden calls for unity with the Republican Party on immigration reform, the latter has become more conservative. In fact, the opposition has rejected almost any proposal that includes an amnesty for undocumented immigrants.
Most Republicans argue that any immigration reform should focus on strengthening border security and ensuring that existing immigration laws are enforced.
An example of this is how some of the Republican governors’ treated the repeal of Title 42 or the fight they have maintained to keep the Remain in Mexico program, both anti-immigration policies of the Trump era.
In this regard, Republicans argue that the Biden administration is too lax in its approach to immigration. They accuse it of a commitment to amnesty for undocumented immigrants, ignoring the importance of border security.
It is true that the Biden administration has made immigration reform a priority, and has announced plans to introduce a bill to modernize immigration laws. It is about a more humane and compassionate approach to immigrants, including a path to citizenship for Dreamers, and a solution for undocumented immigrants.
It is undeniable that the Biden administration has made important advances in immigration policy. However, the lack of depth in some of them, coupled with the political paralysis resulting from the bipartisan struggle with the Republican Party, has painted a difficult picture for immigrants.
It seems that, as Biden points out, an agreement between both political forces is necessary to achieve and implement an immigration reform that solves once and for all the major problems that plague the immigrant population in the United States. However, an agreement of such magnitude seems a long way off with a Republican Party that, for the most part, exacerbates its anti-immigration stance.
Jaskot Law is a law firm whose goal is to provide the immigrant community with the best possibilities to adjust their status and live comfortably in the United States.
