Immigration advocates let out sighs of relief on Tuesday after President Joe Biden switched up months of tough talk and policy for a sweeping executive action to protect undocumented immigrants.
The policy, announced on the 12th anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, creates a pathway to legal status for some undocumented people married to U.S. citizens. And advocates who have been starkly critical of what they say is a Democratic turn toward Republican-lite on immigration felt it’s the exact kind of move that can create a winning contrast with former President Donald Trump.
“Democrats keep getting pushed into the trap where we wind up feeling like we’re in a political squeeze, and then bad policy gets moved forward,” Texas Rep. Greg Casar said. “This is an example of how we can push for a policy that is pro-immigrant, pro-economic growth and pro-stability while also being good electorally for the president.”