As the US presidential election approaches, incumbent Joe Biden is expected to make a major announcement on the contentious issue of immigration. Neera Tanden, the President’s domestic policy advisor, hinted at what to expect during her speech at the USISPF Summit in Washington DC. She emphasized that America attracts talented immigrants from all over the world who come for higher education but are often sent back due to current immigration policies, resulting in a loss of crucial innovation.
Tanden stated that while she couldn’t provide further details, it was up to the President to make the official announcement. According to reports in the US media, an executive order may be passed to protect undocumented spouses of American citizens, potentially affecting around 500,000 individuals. This move is seen as a way to appeal to Latino voters and demonstrate a commitment to immigration reform.
During President Obama’s administration, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was launched, offering relief from deportation to over 500,000 individuals brought to the US as children. However, this program has been under attack by the current administration and its future remains uncertain. According to estimates from the Pew Research Center in 2021, Indians represent the third largest group of undocumented immigrants in the US, following those from Mexico and El Salvador. The number of undocumented immigrants from India, Guatemala and Honduras has been on the rise since 2017.
Overall, President Biden’s upcoming announcement on immigration is eagerly anticipated and has the potential to impact a significant number of individuals living in the US without legal status as well as the broader immigrant community.