AILA Applauds Announcement of Life-Changing Protections for Undocumented Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Dreamers
| CONTACTS: | |
|---|---|
| George Tzamaras 202-507-7649 gtzamaras@aila.org |
Belle Woods 202-507-7675 bwoods@aila.org |
Washington, DC – On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, President Biden announced executive actions that will allow certain noncitizen spouses and children of U.S. citizens to obtain work authorization and legal permanent resident (LPR) status and provide eligible DACA recipients and other Dreamers with a path to receive a work visa.
American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Executive Director Ben Johnson commented, “These announcements are a bold step toward addressing the needs of American families and businesses. We applaud the Administration’s use of its existing legal authority to keep families together and implement sensible, humane immigration solutions. Much like the DACA program 12 years ago, this new effort has the potential to change the lives of hundreds of thousands of American families and provide the opportunity for those who are eligible to make even more contributions to the communities where they have lived for more than a decade. AILA stands ready to help those who will be eligible, including U.S.-educated Dreamers, to secure these protections and join our nation’s workforce.”
“Around the country and across party lines, the American people have made clear they support legal pathways for immigrants who have built families and contributed to this country for years if not decades,” said Kelli Stump, AILA President. “Many of us know these people. They’re our family, friends, and neighbors and this opportunity to gain stability after years of living in limbo will improve their lives and communities around the nation.”