NEW YORK, United States — President Joe Biden’s executive order providing undocumented spouses of American citizens with a pathway to regularising their immigration status has been welcomed by Jamaicans living in that country who say it was long in coming and will help thousands to legally earn a living.

The new rules, announced by Biden on Tuesday, will streamline the process for those who already qualify for permanent residence, by removing a requirement that they leave the country as part of the application process.

The rules apply to those present in the country for at least 10 years and married to a US citizen before June 17, 2024, which the Biden Administration estimates to include about 500,000 people. In addition, some 50,000 stepchildren of US citizens are eligible.

Those approved will be granted work authorisation and the right to stay in the United States for up to three years while they apply for the coveted green card. That would then allow them to apply later for full citizenship.

Immediately after the announcement the Jamaica Observer sought reactions from Jamaicans in the US and some delegates attending the 10th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference now under way in Montego Bay.

“This is a welcome relief for immigration practitioners,” Wayne Golding, a Florida-based immigration attorney, said of the move. “This is something for which we have been advocating to have implemented for a long time, and while promises have been made to get it done, it has never been accomplished.”

Describing the order as “long overdue”, Golding said, “It will positively affect thousands of people, including many within the Jamaican community.”

Juliet Mattadeen, a retired real estate broker from Florida, agreed and said she was “very happy”.

“It reminds me of my own situation several years ago and how hard it can be, especially if children are involved,” she told the Observer.

“The president should be applauded for his action as it will bring a huge relief to people who are living in limbo and fear,” Mattadeen added.

Rick Nugent, who presides over the Jamaican Association of Maryland, said the rule has his “100 per cent” support.

“This is something that myself and members within the Jamaican community have been fighting for over a number of years,” he said. “I can empathise with the thousands of people, including our own Jamaicans, who are caught up in this untenable scenario.”

He said, more importantly, Biden’s action will now allow undocumented Jamaicans to work, take care of their families, and contribute to both the economies of the United States and Jamaica.

Patricia Clarke, who lives in New York, also welcomed the new rule, noting that she was forced to undergo hard times prior to having her status regularised.

“It is something that can be devastating as many times you are faced with abuse and threats of being turned over to immigration. You live in constant fear and uncertainty,” she told the Observer.

Head of the Jamaica Diaspora Crime Intervention and Prevention Task Force Dr Rupert Francis gave the measure the thumbs up.

“This will certainly help all of those people, including the many Jamaicans who are affected,” he said.

Sadie Campbell, the long-time president of the Jamaica Progressive League, an affiliate of the People’s National Party, described the policy as “a brilliant and compassionate move” as “keeping families together is important” .

Dr Shauna Chin, the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council vice-chair and elected USA West/ Midwest representative, also welcomed the move, saying that is going to benefit Jamaicans.

However, Dr Chin, who is attending the diaspora conference, said she needs to review the policy in detail, given that there are similar arrangements that exist.

“It has always been that persons who were undocumented but married to United States citizens have been able to adjust their status. However, the process of adjusting your status is probably what the policy addresses specifically and is making it easier for the adjustment of the status,” she stated.

Carol Williams, a Jamaican living in Los Angeles, said the policy comes as a major relief for a lot of people who have had to deal with those issues as they navigate life without the requisite documents.

“I think my fellow Jamaicans would be very happy that they have such an awesome opportunity, because I think in the past a lot of them were afraid to do anything because they don’t have the status,” said Williams, who is also attending the diaspora conference. “But this gives them the right to work and to be free in that country, so I think that would be fantastic.”

Another conference delegate, Dr Roy Davidson, described the Biden policy as “a welcomed idea”.

“This is very significant because you are there working and have been in the system for years waiting for something like this to happen,” he said.

“There are over three million of us in the United States, so we have to be actively engaged in making sure people who are there for all these years and do not have the requisite documents get it,” he added.

There is no available data on the number of Jamaicans who stand to benefit from the policy. Many of those likely to benefit are the so-called Dreamers
— thousands of young people brought to the United States years ago, many of whom are now grown, have gone to college, are now married, and raising families.

They were specifically mentioned by Biden, who said the policy will help speed up the regularisation of their status and prevent deportation.

Ahead of the announcement, a senior Administration official told reporters that the White House accepts much more is needed to fix the contentious and inefficient US immigration system.

The Biden Administration has been struggling to address immigration, a hugely divisive issue for many Americans ahead of November’s presidential election.

“We can both secure the border and provide legal pathways to citizenship, but we have to acknowledge the patience of the American people is being tested by their fears at the border,” Biden said at the White House.

Biden’s action to protect a whole class of immigrants was immediately condemned by Trump and other Republicans. However, it was hailed by immigration reform activists who had previously been dismayed by Biden’s new border restrictions.