In an ambitious move on immigration, President Joe Biden is set to unveil a far-reaching policy that would remove the threat of deportation for tens of thousands of individuals married to US citizens. This announcement comes as a significant action on immigration, one that has been long-awaited by many Democrats and advocates.

According to three individuals familiar with the White House plans, President Biden will unveil the new program during a special event at the White House, dedicated to celebrating the "dreamers" directive established during the Obama era. This directive provided deportation protections for young undocumented immigrants. The White House event, scheduled for Tuesday, will be attended by families who are potentially eligible to benefit from Biden's actions.

Under this new policy, approximately 490,000 spouses of US citizens will have the opportunity to apply for a "parole in place" program, shielding them from deportation and providing work permits. To be eligible, individuals must have resided in the country for a minimum of 10 years. The initiative also presents an avenue for qualifying immigrants to apply for permanent residency, leading to potential US citizenship, by removing a legal barrier.

The decision to invoke this authority echoes similar actions taken in the past to grant deportation protections and work permits to categories of immigrants like members of the US military and their family members who lack legal status. President Biden expressed his determination to make the immigration system fairer and more just during a previous event at the White House on June 4.

Additionally, the announcement is expected to include a policy ensuring that recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program become eligible for visas rather than temporary work authorization. This development comes as welcome news to immigration advocates, who argue that it is often exceedingly challenging for married individuals to gain legal status despite their deep ties to the United States.

Ashley DeAzevedo, the president of American Families United, a group advocating for US citizens married to foreign nationals, hailed the forthcoming policy as a pivotal moment in history, urging the nation to rise to the occasion. The move is likely to be met with great enthusiasm among Democrats, and several House lawmakers have already made arrangements to travel back to Washington for the announcement.

This new immigration policy holds particular significance as President Biden faces political pressure to demonstrate his ability to manage the US-Mexico border effectively. Throughout his tenure in the White House, historic levels of immigration have been a defining issue. In response, President Biden recently implemented stringent measures to curtail asylum-seeking at the southern border, a decision that garnered criticism from immigration advocates and Democratic lawmakers.

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus has repeatedly urged President Biden to take actions to protect the spouses of US citizens from deportation. They have also called for policies to make work visas available to undocumented individuals who graduated from US colleges. Initiating these reforms not only aligns with the President's promises but also resonates politically with immigrant and Latino voters. Gustavo Torres, the president of CASA in Action, anticipates that gratitude will be expressed at the ballot box in November.

Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump has reiterated his campaign promise to deport millions of migrants if reelected, doubling down on anti-immigration rhetoric that propelled him to power.

As the White House commemorates the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, created by former President Barack Obama to protect young immigrants without legal status, the upcoming announcement by President Biden signals a comprehensive effort to address immigration challenges and create a fairer system for all.