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Joe Biden plans to release new bill this week to help 11M undocumented immigrants, conservatives say 'arrest him'

The proposed US Citizenship Act of 2021 will pave the way to provide citizenship to undocumented immigrants

President Joe Biden plans to unveil an immigration reform bill that would pave the way to provide citizenship to 11 million undocumented immigrants, according to latest reports. Apart from including a pathway to citizenship for millions, the reform also includes an expansion of the refugee resettlement program and more technology at the southern border. According to multiple sources familiar with the planning, the president and Hill Democrats are expected to unveil the US Citizenship Act of 2021, later this week. 

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Former President Donald Trump's administration cut refugee admissions by more than 85 percent, reportedly setting the limit at 15,000 for the fiscal year 2021, which started in October. Biden, during his campaign, vowed to raise that to 125,000 for this year and possibly boost it even higher in subsequent years. The president's proposal might also include additional protections such as asylum processing in home countries for minors, expanded benefits for DREAMers and ending the public charge rule.

Democrat Senator Robert Menendez said the plan "is about fixing our broken immigration system' but also 'building a better one that reunites families, brings the undocumented community out of the shadows and on a path to citizenship". He added the bill also "stands up for human rights, address the root causes of migration, and includes a smart border security strategy".

The main objective, officials and advocates say, is progress. And so, Marielena Hincapié, executive director of the National Immigration Law Center, reportedly said, “If certain parts of the bill become building blocks, that’s fine." Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the government is still working on developing a "humane, comprehensive process" to evaluate people coming to the US. "Asylum processes at the border will not occur immediately," she said. "It will take time to implement."

It is not going to be an easy reform to pass as pushback is reportedly expected from immigration hard-liners. Lora Ries, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former acting deputy chief of staff at the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, had said in January, "Legalizing countless millions of illegal aliens — even discussing it — rings the bell for millions more to illegally enter the US to await their green card". 

Former Rep Carlos Curbelo, a moderate Republican from Florida reportedly said, "many Republicans are worried about primary challenges," adding that Trump and his supporters' championing of immigration crackdowns means there's "political peril there for Republicans". Former Trump administration officials and some within ICE have already objected to Biden's immigration approach. According to latest reports, Texas and Arizona have both sued to stop Biden's 100-day deportation moratorium. A judge has temporarily put it on hold.

While many applauded the proposal on social media, it is also facing backlash. This despite the fact that the office has confirmed it will take a while for immigration process to begin. "HASN’T MASTERED COVID YET - TRUMP HAD PLAN IN PLACE, BIDEN ONLY PATTED THE WHEEL. BUT 11+ MIL IMMIGRANTS - JUST IN TIME FOR A STIMULUS..GOD BLESS AMERICA ," one said. "I WANT AN ARREST WARRANT FOR JOE BIDEN. HE NEEDS TO LEARN HE CAN'T JUST VIOLATE THE LAW BECAUSE HE WANTS TO. AND NO, HE'S NOT ABOVE THE LAW!!!! IT'S LIKE NANCY PELOSI KEEPS SAYING. JOE BIDEN? LISTEN TO NANCY PELOSI. NOBODY IS ABOVE THE LAW. FOLLOW OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS. JOE.!" another user tweeted.

"Joe Biden plans to release immigration reform bill this week “C’mon Man!”  Who in their right mind would support this bull shit?" one user said. "I don't know what that "embalmed corpose" #JoeBiden is doing but, allowing violent criminals to pour into  during a "dark winter"#COVID19 is NUTS! His "Immigration Policies" do not make sense! The #Democrats are not looking out for the American people," another added.