Contact: Phuong Nguyen
(571) 249-2114
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 18, 2024
Falls Church, VA — Today, the Administration announced new policies that will shield certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens and their children from deportation and provide them with the ability to work legally in the United States as they pursue citizenship. DACA recipients will also be able to access nonimmigrant work visas more easily. This policy shift is aimed at individuals who have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years and leverages the “parole in place” authority to offer deportation protections.
The Tahirih Justice Center, a leading advocate for immigrant survivors of gender-based violence, responded to the announcement. “We are glad for the relief this executive action will bring to many, including survivors, within our communities across the United States” said Casey Carter Swegman, Director of Public Policy at the Tahirih Justice Center.
Under current law, non-citizens married to U.S. citizens may apply for lawful permanent residence through their marriage. However, non-citizens often must first depart the U.S. and wait to be processed abroad, resulting in long periods of painful family separation. Under this new executive action, non-citizen spouses may be able to apply without having to leave the country if they meet the following criteria:
- Have been continuously present in the United States for at least 10 years without admission or parole as of June 17, 2024;
- Have a legally valid marriage to a U.S. citizen as of June 17, 2024; and
- Have no disqualifying criminal history or otherwise constitute a threat to national security or public safety and should otherwise merit a favorable exercise of discretion.
In addition to protecting undocumented spouses, the executive action will also allow DACA recipients to obtain certain work visas, provided they meet specific criteria, including having graduated from an accredited U.S. institution of higher education.
“This is a welcome policy development and will bring long sought stability and safety to many, it is not a replacement for comprehensive immigration reform and – critically – it will not undo the harm this administration’s asylum policies have caused. While we celebrate this news, we will also keep advocating to ensure that humanitarian pathways, including asylum, are preserved and expanded to meet the needs of survivors, and pushing for comprehensive immigration reform rooted in the humanity and legal rights of all immigrants.” said Casey Carter Swegman.
For further comments on this topic, please email [email protected].
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The Tahirih Justice Center is a national, nonprofit organization that serves women, girls, and all immigrant survivors of gender-based violence. By amplifying the experiences of survivors, our mission is to create a world in which all people share equal rights and live in safety and with dignity.
