Joe Biden

Analysis: Biden’s Executive Order Isn’t ‘Amnesty’ and Should Be Celebrated

The order will provide a pathway to legal status for undocumented spouses who have been in the country for at least 10 years and the children of U.S. citizens

Photo by René DeAnda on Unsplash

Despite the hype from conservatives surrounding the word amnesty while referring to migrants as illegals, President Joe Biden’s executive order providing a pathway to gaining legal status for many spouses and children of U.S. citizens is anything but. Instead, it provides much-needed relief to thousands of mixed-status families — tax-paying, hard-working families.

Let’s cover the basics.

• Spouses are required to have been in the U.S. for at least 10 years as of June 17, 2024
• Must have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024
• Can’t have a criminal history or constitute a threat to national security or public safety
• Those eligible have resided in the U.S. for an average of 23 years

Unbeknownst to many, those who will benefit from the executive order are already eligible for a green card in the current system. The order helps by removing a barrier…