00:00Today, we delve into a significant announcement from President Joe Biden, which could profoundly
00:21impact hundreds of thousands of immigrant families in the United States.
00:27On Tuesday, President Biden unveiled a new initiative designated to provide a path to
00:33citizenship for immigrants residing in the U.S., illegally married to U.S. citizens.
00:40This electioneer move stands in stark contrast to the policies of Biden's Republican rival
00:47Donald Trump, who has proposed mass deportations as part of his campaign.
00:53At a White House event, President Biden sharply criticized Trump's harsh immigration policies,
00:59specifically the separation of migrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border and the incendiary
01:06rhetoric Trump has used about immigrants.
01:10It's hard to believe it's being said, but he's actually saying these things out loud.
01:17And it's outrageous.
01:19I'm not interested in playing politics with the border or immigration.
01:24I am interested in fixing it.
01:27The new program, set to launch in the coming months, aims to provide legal status to an
01:32estimated 500,000 spouses who have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years as of June 17.
01:41Additionally, approximately 50,000 children under the age of 21 with a U.S. citizen parent
01:48will also be eligible.
01:50This initiative will allow these individuals to apply for permanent residence without the
01:56need to leave the country, thus avoiding lengthy separations from their families.
02:02This move underscores Biden's campaign message of supporting a more humane and compassionate
02:09immigration system, differentiating his approach from Trump's hardline stance.
02:15While the U.S. already offers a path to citizenship for those married to Americans who entered
02:21the country legally, this new effort focuses on those who entered illegally but have since
02:28established deep roots in American society.
02:32However, this program is not without controversy.
02:35Including Texas Governor Greg Abbott labeled the effort blatantly illegal and accused Biden
02:43of pandering for votes.
02:45Legal challenges are expected and there is uncertainty about the program's longevity,
02:51especially if there is a change in administration.
02:55President Biden's announcement coincided with the anniversary of the Deferred Action for
02:59Childhood Arrivals, also called DACA program, another major immigration initiative he was
03:06involved in during his tenure as vice president.
03:10The Biden administration also introduced measures to facilitate skilled work visas
03:15for DACA recipients, furthering his administration's commitment to immigration reform.
03:21These are the fears my predecessor is trying to play on when he says immigrants, immigrants,
03:27and his words are poison the blood of the country.
03:31When he calls immigrants and his words animals.
03:35And he was president.
03:36He separated families and children at the border.
03:39And now he's proposing to rip spouses and children from their families and homes and
03:43communities and place them in detention camps.
03:45He's actually saying these things.
03:47It's hard to believe it's being said, but he's actually saying these things out loud
03:51and it's outrageous.
03:52Folks, I'm not interested in playing politics with the border or immigration.
03:58I'm interested in fixing it.
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