Big Win for Immigrant Families and DACA Recipients

Last Tuesday the progressive movement won a big one. After years of organizing, and relentless advocacy, immigrant and civil rights groups won a long battle getting major relief for millions of immigrant families.

On June 18^th President Biden, using his executive authority, announced a plan that will protect a half million spouses of U.S. citizens and give eligible DACA recipients easier access to work authorization visas. When fully implemented this action will lead to keeping families together and giving a possible path to permanent residency and citizenship for millions of hard-working immigrants.

Alejandra Gomez, Executive Director of Living United for Change in Arizona, reflected on the historic importance of Biden’s announcement:

Today, President Biden took an important step forward in reforming our broken immigration system. These new protections will offer much-needed stability for undocumented spouses and Dreamers, allowing them to remain with their loved ones.

As we all know, this decision was due to years of pressure and hard work on the part of so many national, state, and local immigrant rights organizations. We in PDA want to thank President Biden for protecting millions of our neighbors who live, work, go to school, and call the United States home.

The battle for immigration reform will continue going forward. Without real change, millions will continue to live in a constant state of uncertainty and fear. Immigration rights groups who are often disappointed at the slow progress of our Democratic leaders in Congress point out that most American voters support reform. Let’s continue to urge the Biden Administration to advance their commitments to passing comprehensive reform and a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants in the U.S.

Dan O’Neal for the PDA National Team