Biden extends legal status of nearly 1 million US immigrants for 18 months – Times of India

United States President Joe Biden on Friday extended the temporary legal status of about one million immigrants from El Salvadore, Venezuela and Ukraine, days ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th American President.
The Biden administration, in final acts on immigration policy, ratified an extension for over 200,000 Salvadorans and about 600,000 Venezuelans for another 18 months.
The decision by the Biden government is in contrast with the immigration policy promised by Trump, who has vowed to crack down on non-natives. Biden administration’s latest move in support of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) sharply expanded cover to about 1 million people, reported news agency AP.
The decision grants relief to roughly 232,000 Salvadorans; 1,900 Sudanese; 104,000 Ukrainians; and 600,000 Venezuelans, reported CNN citing Department of Homeland Security.
Last year, Biden announced a new immigration policy which allowed spouses of American citizens to obtain legal status if they were illegal immigrants.
The policy is applicable to those who have been residing in the country for not less than 10 years and are married to a US citizen before June 17, 2024. The White House expected the move to benefit at least 500,000 people in addition to some 50,000 stepchildren of US citizens.
US President-elect Donald Trump is poised to intensify his crackdown on illegal immigration and restrict legal immigration when he returns to the White House on January 20, 2025.
Trump reaffirmed his approach to immigration during a campaign rally in Duluth, Georgia, saying, “Immediately upon taking the oath of office, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history.”
Trump has announced plans to enact large-scale deportations if he returns to office. This initiative, aimed at individuals residing in the US illegally, seeks to return millions to their countries of origin. The president-elect intends to utilize executive orders to increase immigration enforcement immediately upon assuming office.