WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper released the following statement on President Biden’s executive orders to expand protections for undocumented migrants, including DACA recipients:
“We’ve lived with a broken immigration system for far too long. Today’s executive orders are a welcome step forward and provide a pathway to work and sense of security for thousands who’ve lived here for decades.
Now it’s Congress’ turn to finish the job.”
President Biden announced new expansive actions during the 12th anniversary celebration for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. DACA was created to support those who were brought to the U.S. as young children and have continued to live here since but lacked legal status. The program offers them the right to work, pursue an education, and fully contribute to our economy. Hickenlooper attended the anniversary event at the White House earlier today.
Today’s actions expand the “Parole in Place” program to provide work permits and eventual legal status for noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens who have lived in the country for over 10 years. An estimated 12,000 undocumented spouses living in Colorado and over 500,000 living across the country would be impacted by the actions. Over 50,000 non-citizen stepchildren of U.S. citizens will also be eligible. Once approved, eligible individuals will have three years to apply for permanent residency.
The executive orders also streamline the process for DACA recipients and other DREAMers to receive temporary work visas, such as H-1B visas for high-skilled workers, opening up pathways to permanent residency. Specifically, DACA recipients who have earned a college degree in the U.S. and who have received an employment offer related to their degree can more quickly receive a work visa.
Senator Hickenlooper has previously called for a legal pathway for citizenship for DREAMers, as well as TPS recipients, and essential workers, and supports comprehensive immigration. Hickenlooper has advocated for additional federal support for cities like Denver who have borne the brunt of expenses for taking in migrant families, for cutting red tape to ensure skilled laborers and H2-B visa workers can fill workforce gaps, and phasing out outdated visa caps.
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