In a move to provide a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of immigrants without legal status, United States President Joe Biden has unveiled one of the largest immigration regularisation programs in recent history. The new measures, announced on Tuesday, will allow undocumented spouses of US citizens to apply for permanent residence and eventual citizenship without having to leave the country.

The program is expected to impact more than 500,000 spouses of US citizens and approximately 50,000 noncitizen children under the age of 21 whose parents are married to US citizens. In his speech at the White House, President Biden described the existing system as "cumbersome" and emphasized that the new measures would offer a "common-sense fix" to address the challenges faced by undocumented spouses.

Under the current process, undocumented spouses of citizens must often return to their home countries, such as Mexico, to complete paperwork for long-term legal status. This requirement separates families and leaves these individuals living in the US under constant fear of deportation without the ability to work legally.

President Biden stated that the new measures would address these issues without requiring a "fundamental change" in immigration law. The announcement comes as immigration remains a central and divisive issue ahead of the upcoming presidential elections in November.

The Biden administration has pitched the program as beneficial not only for immigrant families but also for the US economy. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted the stability it would bring to American families and the contribution that young people under the program can make to the country.

While immigrant rights advocates have welcomed this pathway to permanent residency, they have also urged the Biden administration to take further action. President of the National Immigration Law Center, Kica Matos, appreciates the relief provided by the program but called for a permanent solution to grant citizenship to millions waiting across the nation.

To be eligible for the spousal program, applicants must have lived in the US for a minimum of 10 years as of Monday and be married to a US citizen. If approved, they will have three years to apply for a green card and receive a temporary work permit, effectively shielding them from deportation. Eventually, they may apply for US citizenship.

Senior administration officials anticipate that the application process will be open by the end of the summer, with the fees yet to be determined. President Biden highlighted that the program recognizes the contributions and deep-rootedness of immigrant communities and aims to keep families together.

However, critics of the program have raised concerns about the requirement of living in the US for at least 10 years. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre acknowledged that further comprehensive immigration reform would require cooperation from Congress.

In addition to the spousal program, President Biden also announced guidance to make it easier for DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) recipients, known as Dreamers, to obtain skilled-work visas. The administration aims to support Dreamers who have been educated at US colleges and universities and encourage them to contribute to the US economy.

With immigration expected to be a key voting issue in the upcoming elections, President Biden is hoping that these measures will translate into support and boost his approval ratings. The announcement has drawn criticism from Republicans, who accuse Biden of planning mass amnesty and creating an invitation for illegal immigration.

While some critics have voiced concerns that Biden's immigration policies may align too closely with his predecessor, the administration has defended its actions. President Biden attributes recent asylum measures to the lack of progress in Congress and emphasizes the importance of securing the US border.

In his speech, President Biden drew a clear distinction between himself and former President Donald Trump, accusing the previous administration of proposing to separate families and place them in detention camps. He reiterated that the United States is a nation of immigrants and emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

Overall, President Biden's unveiling of the major immigration regularization program marks a significant step towards addressing the issues faced by undocumented spouses and their families.