Biden faces mounting pressure to protect immigrants before Trump takes office.
President Joe Biden is under increasing pressure from Democratic lawmakers and allies to bolster protections for immigrants in the United States as concerns grow over President-elect Donald Trump’s promise of mass deportations. With Trump set to take office, Democrats fear his immigration policies could have severe consequences for millions of undocumented individuals and their families.
Behind the scenes, Biden administration officials are grappling with what actions, if any, can be taken to safeguard immigrants before the end of Biden’s term. Balancing demands from allies and concerns about political backlash, officials are carefully weighing their options in a political landscape where immigration has been a contentious and divisive issue.
Immigration was a significant challenge throughout Biden’s presidency and played a key role in the 2024 election, where many voters disapproved of his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border. This context is shaping internal discussions, with officials acknowledging a shifted paradigm in political dynamics over the past two years.
Democratic lawmakers, concerned about Trump’s immigration agenda, are urging Biden to take decisive action to protect immigrant families. Requests include expanding Temporary Protected Status (TPS), expediting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewals, and addressing the backlog of pending asylum cases. Advocates have also expressed frustration with the administration’s strict asylum policies, which they believe contradict promises to support immigrant communities.
Mass deportations would jeopardize the safety and security of millions of mixed-status families, sow deep distrust and fear in the communities we represent, and destabilize the U.S. economy, a group of Democratic senators wrote in a letter to Biden on Monday. The letter, signed by Sens. Dick Durbin, Cory Booker, Catherine Cortez Masto, Mazie Hirono, Tammy Duckworth, Ben Ray Luján, and Alex Padilla, urged Biden to act decisively before leaving office.
President Biden, you have the chance to cement your legacy on the economy, as well as your humanitarian legacy, Sen. Padilla stated Wednesday. Use this moment to protect long-term immigrants and help strengthen our nation’s economy.
According to a Democratic Senate aide, the White House has been receptive to these conversations and is considering the lawmakers’ requests. We are pushing them to make it a priority before the end of the term, the aide noted.
As Biden’s administration faces mounting pressure, the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the extent of his final actions on immigration policy and their lasting impact.
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