Immigrants Receive Deportation Relief Under New Biden Executive Order

Cecilia sat anxiously in front of her computer, refreshing the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) webpage on Monday. She was eagerly awaiting the launch of the Biden administration’s “Keeping Families Together” program.

After a few moments, she found the application and completed it within 20 minutes.

Just over 24 hours later, an email arrived with news she had been waiting two decades to hear.

“I see that I got approved, and I’m like, oh that was quick,” Cecilia shared during an interview. “I was lost for words… a whole bunch of emotions were going on.”

Choosing to keep her full name private to protect her immigration status, Cecilia became one of the first individuals to receive parole in place—a temporary relief from deportation introduced under a new program that allows undocumented spouses and stepchildren of U.S. citizens to apply for permanent legal residency without needing to leave the country.

While noncitizen spouses could already seek legal status under existing laws, they historically had to return to their home countries to do so, often facing a ban of up to 10 years before returning to the U.S.

On June 18, President Joe Biden initiated the program through an executive action, referring to it as a “commonsense fix” aiming to keep families intact.

“This action is a better way. It doesn’t tear families apart, while requiring every undocumented spouse to fulfill their obligations under the law,” Biden stated.

The Department of Homeland Security estimates that approximately half a million noncitizen spouses and 50,000 children could benefit from this initiative.

To qualify, applicants must be in the U.S. unlawfully and pass background checks. They also need to demonstrate at least a decade of residence in the U.S. and must be married to a U.S. citizen on or before June 17, 2024. Additionally, some noncitizen stepchildren under the age of 21 are eligible.

Cecilia was brought to the U.S. from Mexico when she was just 4 years old. Following unsuccessful attempts to apply for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program—now in limbo amid ongoing legal challenges—she feared her aspirations of becoming a chemist were forever out of reach. For years, she worked without legal authorization and faced the burdensome reality of paying out-of-state tuition due to her immigration status.

In 2018, she met her husband while he was studying biology at their shared institution.

“At the time, I didn’t really tell him about my status, because I was afraid he wouldn’t accept me since I’m not legally here,” Cecilia recalled.

Despite her fears, her husband proved to be incredibly supportive. He assisted her throughout her education while managing the challenges of raising their three-year-old child together. When Cecillia shared the news of her application approval, her husband could hardly believe it. “He was like, ‘Are you not playing with me?’,” she remembered. They celebrated as soon as he returned home.

“We always try to celebrate little moments in our lives, even if they’re small, because we never know when one of us might not be there. We strive to stay united as a family,” she emphasized.

Cecilia learned about the new policy through American Families United, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for legal pathways to citizenship for foreign nationals married to U.S. citizens.

“Countless American families, like Cecilia’s, have endured years of uncertainty, holding onto the hope that one day they could live without fear,” Ashley DeAzevedo, president of American Families United, stated. “We are encouraged by the quick approval of Cecilia’s application—she is American in every way that counts. Now, she will have the chance to contribute even more to her family and to this nation that she considers her home.”

Cecilia believes her application may have been expedited because she had already submitted biometrics and other required information during her previous DACA application process.

A USCIS official noted that applications might be prioritized for individuals who already have pending applications and have submitted accurate biographical details.

Cecilia has already applied for her work permit and is looking to secure lawful permanent residency as soon as possible, finally freeing herself from the frustration of living as an undocumented immigrant. Her dreams of home ownership, a successful career, and raising her child alongside her husband seem closer than ever.

She wants to encourage other undocumented immigrants to remain hopeful.

“I feel like people should be more hopeful and know there are advocates fighting for them,” she remarked. “Everyone deserves an extra opportunity.”