Biden offers legal status to Trump’s separated migrants.
The Biden Administration Offers Temporary Legal Status to Migrant Families Separated at the U.S.-Mexico Border
The Biden administration has reached a settlement agreement that will provide temporary legal status and other benefits to migrant families who were separated at the U.S.-Mexico border during the presidency of Donald Trump. This agreement aims to prevent similar separations from happening in the future.
The settlement currently applies to around 3,900 children who were separated from their parents between 2017 and 2021. However, there are still an estimated 500-1,000 children who remain separated, and the number covered by the settlement is expected to increase.
This settlement is part of President Joe Biden’s ongoing efforts to reunite families who were separated under Trump’s ”zero tolerance” policy. This policy, implemented in 2018, called for the prosecution of all unauthorized border crossers. It has been found that separations began before and continued after the official start of the policy.
The settlement will need approval from a U.S. district court judge. Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential election, has criticized Biden’s approach to border security and has promised to implement strict immigration policies if reelected.
Benefits and Conditions of the Settlement
Under the settlement, families who were separated during the Trump era will have the opportunity to apply for temporary legal status for three years, along with a work permit. They will also be able to make an asylum claim with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
The settlement prohibits the government from implementing any policies that would lead to widespread separations for the next eight years. However, exceptions can be made for reasons of national security, criminal warrants, medical emergencies, or if a child’s safety is at risk.
In addition, separated families will have access to temporary housing support for one year, as well as behavioral health services and some medical assistance.
ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt has described the settlement as “a critical step forward to help the thousands of families.”
It is worth noting that the Biden administration discontinued class-wide settlement talks in 2021, which would have provided monetary compensation to separated families. However, more than 750 children have already been reunited with their families through efforts led by a Biden administration task force.
(Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington; editing by Deepa Babington)
What criteria must individuals meet to be eligible for the benefits provided by the settlement agreement?
S initiative follows a wave of criticism against the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy, which resulted in the forcible separation of thousands of migrant families at the border. The policy faced severe backlash from human rights organizations, advocates, and the general public, as images and reports of children being detained in crowded cages and separated from their parents circulated worldwide.
The new agreement, which was announced on October 15, 2021, states that eligible families will have the opportunity to apply for three years of temporary protected status (TPS) in the United States. TPS allows individuals to legally reside and work in the country, providing them with a level of stability and protection from deportation. In addition to TPS, affected families will also have access to mental health services, educational resources, and other support.
To be eligible for the benefits, individuals must meet certain criteria. They must have been separated at the border under the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy, with children under the age of 18 at the time of separation. Furthermore, families must have been physically present in the United States on or before the announcement date of the settlement agreement, October 15, 2021. The U.S. government intends to establish a process to identify eligible families and provide them with the necessary information on how to apply.
The Biden administration has emphasized that this initiative is a step towards righting the wrongs of the previous administration and repairing the damage caused by the family separations. It acknowledges the long-lasting trauma experienced by separated families and aims to provide them with the support they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
While the temporary legal status offers relief to many families, there are still challenges that lie ahead. The administration will need to address the issue of reunifying the remaining separated families and ensuring that they receive the necessary support and services. Reuniting families after years of separation is a complex process that requires coordination and resources.
Moreover, there are concerns about the long-term stability of the temporary legal status. The three-year period may provide immediate relief, but it does not provide a permanent solution for these families. Advocates argue that a pathway to permanent residency or citizenship should be explored to prevent families from facing uncertainty once again when their temporary status expires.
This settlement agreement represents a significant step towards rectifying the injustice caused by the family separations at the U.S.-Mexico border. It highlights the Biden administration’s commitment to addressing the humanitarian crisis and providing relief to the affected families. However, the work is far from over, and continued efforts are necessary to ensure that all separated families are reunited and provided with the opportunity to build a stable and secure future.
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