The Biden administration is preparing one of the largest immigration aid programs in recent history, offering legal status to hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants. According to sources close to the matter, the policy would include work permits and protections from deportation for unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens as long as they have lived in the U.S. for at least 10 years. Known as “Parole in Place”, the proposal would also allow some beneficiaries to obtain permanent legal status and citizenship by eliminating legal barriers for those who have entered the countryillegally.

Another plan will expedite the process for DREAMers and other undocumented immigrants to apply for waivers to obtain temporary visas, such as the H-1B. The proposal will be announced soon during an event commemorating the 12th anniversary of the DACA program, which protects about 530,000 undocumented immigrants who were brought tothe U.S. as children.

While the White House has not made a final decision, a spokesperson said the administration is committed to resolving the broken immigration system. The “Parole in Place” program would be the largest since DACA, benefiting unauthorized immigrants married to U.S. citizens who meet residency requirements and other rules. Approximately 11 million immigrants live in the U.S. illegally, according to recent government estimates.

This move demonstrates Biden’s willingness to take executive action on immigration ahead of the November presidential election. He also recently enacted a partial ban on asylum claims at the southern border, a move opposed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Like this action, the “Parole in Place” program is likely to face legal challenges and opposition from Republican lawmakers, who criticize Biden's more generous immigration policies, according to a CBS News report.

The program could boost support for Biden from Latino voters, especially mixed-status families who would benefit from the move. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services already administers a limited “Parole in Place” program for military families, allowing immediate relatives of military personnel or veterans to obtain green cards without leaving the country.