But a Pathway to Citizenship Must be Expanded to All Immigrant Communities
(Washington)—The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) welcomes the Biden Administration’s policy providing work authorization and protection from deportation to undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and providing a subsequent path to citizenship. This program will make a difference for thousands of families across the United States. However, it falls far short of the goals the administration stated at the beginning of the term to ensure pathways to citizenship for those without status or with temporary status and the Biden administration must do more to make good on the promises that were made to immigrant communities.
“We applaud the administration for taking these steps to protect immigrant families. There has been a lot of hard work and dedication that has gone into achieving this victory for undocumented spouses and we know this policy brings much relief and hope to these families,” said Policy Attorney & Specialist Elizabeth Taufa. “The ILRC will continue to push the administration to be bold and creative to give concrete steps to all immigrant communities, so they too know there is a pathway to citizenship for them.”
“There is so much more the administration can and should do to make positive and compassionate changes now in our immigration system that will provide relief to all immigrant communities,” Taufa added. “The ILRC has been incredibly disheartened by the administration’s shoring up of hurtful policies such as the recent executive order cracking down on migrants seeking asylum at the southern border.”
“We do not wish to see a repeat of the heartbreak of those who are left out of these types of programs, which leaves them in limbo,” Taufa said. “If the administration strongly believes one segment of the immigrant community is worthy of temporary legal status and a pathway to citizenship, why leave out others?”
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The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) is a national nonprofit that works with immigrants, community organizations, legal professionals, and policy makers to build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people. Through community education programs, legal training & technical assistance, and policy development & advocacy, the ILRC works to protect and defend the fundamental rights of immigrant families and communities. Follow us at www.ilrc.org, and on Twitter and Instagram @the_ILRC