NEW JERSEY — Starting Monday, a new program under the Biden administration will offer undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens protection from deportation, work authorization, and potentially a pathway to citizenship.
This initiative expands the existing Parole in Place processes, aimed at helping long-term U.S. residents who are undocumented.
New Jersey has been a major recipient of undocumented immigrants during the administration of President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Migrants have come to New Jersey both for its status as a sanctuary state and because many illegal migrants have family living in the New York City and New Jersey region.
The program could impact thousands in New Jersey, depending on specific eligibility requirements. It is part of an effort to use existing legal frameworks to strengthen protections for undocumented individuals living in the U.S.
In anticipation of the program’s launch, Make the Road New Jersey (MRNJ) has organized a massive outreach and legal education campaign. The organization plans to host a series of community workshops and legal clinics to educate potential applicants about the program, determine their eligibility, and assist with documentation gathering.
The community workshops are scheduled for Wednesday, August 22nd, Thursday, August 23rd, and Thursday, September 5th. These events will be held across multiple locations, including 42 Broad St in Elizabeth, 184 Passaic St in Passaic, and 313 State Street in Perth Amboy. MRNJ encourages interested individuals to contact them for specific times and further details.
Parole in Place provides a temporary reprieve from deportation and the opportunity to apply for work authorization. For some, it also facilitates overcoming legal barriers to obtaining a green card and citizenship. This program reflects ongoing efforts by the Biden-Harris administration to reform immigration policies and provide relief to families threatened by separation due to immigration issues.
