Washington, January 17, 2021
Joe Biden will immediately address the issue of offering legal status to approximately 11 million people in the country immediately after the inauguration.
In a surprise decision known to a few, President-elect, Joe Biden mentioned his planned move of according a legal status to a large number of immigrants in the country. This issue has been a bone of contention for a long time, between the Democrats and the Republics as well as within both the parties.
It was disclosed that on the first day of his office, he will chart out a plan for the path of citizenship for millions of illegal immigrants in the United States. Although this is high on his agenda it is still not clear how soon this will be done, keeping the on-going pandemic and his other priorities in mind.
This plan was similar to what former President Barack Obama had pledged regarding the citizenship bill his first year in office but which did not take off until his second term.
Biden’s plan is in stark contrast to Donald Trump’s 2016 Presidential campaign where an anti-immigrant plan formed a major part. The crux of the plan was on preventing or completely putting an end to illegal immigration.
Executive Director of the Immigration Law Centre, Marielena Hincapie, who is aware of this Biden’s plan, mentioned that it was the exact opposite of what Trump had in mind.
In the past, in the years 2007 and 2013, legislative efforts were made to revamp the immigration policy which had failed. If successful, this legislation would be a big move.
Ali Noorani, President of the National Immigration Forum was briefed about this and the various options that would be available including fast track.
It is being conjectured that this approach towards immigrants may weigh very heavily in Joe Biden’s favor.
