In a move aimed at addressing the broken immigration system, the Biden administration is reportedly considering a plan to shield undocumented immigrants who are the spouses of US citizens from deportation, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The proposed program, known as "parole in place," would not only provide protection from deportation but also grant access to work permits for these individuals. Additionally, it would create a more straightforward path to obtaining a green card and ultimately US citizenship for some undocumented immigrants. However, it's important to note that the plan is still in deliberation and the timing of its implementation remains uncertain.

While the discussions have taken place, they are not yet final. Lawmakers on Capitol Hill have been briefed on the proposal, indicating that there is ongoing dialogue regarding immigration reform within the government. However, the White House spokesperson declined to provide specific details about the plan when approached for comment.

Immigration advocates and Democratic lawmakers have been urging the Biden administration to prioritize long-term undocumented immigrants, and this potential program could be a significant step in that direction. Furthermore, President Joe Biden's efforts to court Latino voters in crucial battleground states, including Nevada and Arizona, have added impetus to address the immigration issue.

Last week, President Biden announced executive action that tightened asylum restrictions outside legal ports of entry. Under this new policy, migrants entering the US between legal ports of entry, barring some exceptions, will be banned from claiming asylum and subsequently deported, once the seven-day average of illegal border crossings exceeds 2,500. However, questions have arisen regarding the implementation of this action without additional congressional funding.

President Biden also suggested that more immigration-related moves will follow in the weeks ahead, aiming to make the immigration system fairer and more just. Nonetheless, the potential adoption of protections for undocumented spouses of US citizens could be the largest immigration-related relief program since 2012, when President Barack Obama announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, allowing undocumented immigrants who arrived in the US as children to remain in the country.

The Biden administration has been under scrutiny from both sides of the political spectrum regarding immigration. Republicans argue that the asylum restrictions are insufficient, while some Democrats criticize the move as a betrayal of the president's campaign promise to implement more compassionate border policies.

The southern border has experienced a significant influx of undocumented migrants, with the number reaching nearly 10 million during the Biden administration. Earlier this year, congressional Republicans, following former President Donald Trump's urging, blocked a comprehensive bipartisan border security bill that was intended to alleviate the crisis. GOP House members, including Speaker Mike Johnson, emphasized that the bill did not go far enough.

With ongoing discussions and potential reforms on the horizon, the Biden administration continues to grapple with the complex issue of immigration. As the proposal to protect undocumented spouses of US citizens progresses, it remains to be seen how the administration will navigate the challenges and find a comprehensive solution to the broken immigration system.