Michigan’s government officials, immigration-reform groups, and families affected by immigration policies are celebrating President Joe Biden’s recent executive action on allowing some illegal immigrants to work legally.
The order offers work permits and legal status to long-term immigrants, including those married to U.S. citizens, under the conditions that they’ve lived in the U.S. for at least ten years and have no criminal record. The plan mirrors the Obama administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or DACA, in 2012.
Michigan is home to about 90,000 undocumented immigrants. State Representative Laurie Pohutsky is a Democrat from Livonia who spoke at a gathering supporting Biden’s new policy.
“What the Biden administration did is consistent with our values as a country and as a state,” Pohutsky said. “It upholds the dignity and justice of our families. We can have greater security on the border and we can have compassion for those who have been in our communities for many years and have families.”
However, not everyone’s a fan of the announcement this week. State Senator Aric Nesbitt says this doesn’t help reduce illegal immigration.
“In America, you don’t reward people for breaking the law,” Nesbitt said. “This new proposal does just that. Instead of focusing on strengthening our southern border, the Biden administration has decided to propose another amnesty plan for those who violated our nation’s laws and our sovereignty.”
Supporters of Biden’s action say it helps people who have been in the United States for a long time maintain their dignity and that it also helps keep families together. They say long-term undocumented immigrants have lived on average for 15 years in the U.S, working, paying taxes, and raising American children.
