(KERO) — As President Biden makes his transition into the White House, there are quite a few topics on his executive action plan he intends to implement, one topic he intends to tackle is immigration reform.
"We've been fighting this battle for more than 30 years," said local Immigration Attorney, Win Eaton.
On Wednesday, President Joe Biden is expected to propose the extensive immigration and if passed, President Biden says it would change the lives of nearly 11 million people.
"As far as the legislation, that's a long process," added Eaton.
Biden's campaign website says the proposed bill would allow a pathway for immigrants who register, are up-to-date on their taxes and have passed a background check.
Agricultural workers who have worked for years on U.S. farms and continue to work in agriculture are also included in the proposal.
According to Biden's campaign website, he will work to provide legal status based on prior agricultural work history, with a faster-track to a green card and ultimately citizenship. The president also talks about living conditions and workplace protections. Eaton reminds those seeking citizenship, there is no timeline on when the changes would be passed into legislation.
"There will be no instantaneous change in immigration law or policy other than the immediate effect of the limited executive actions that President Biden has promised to take," said Eaton. And there are several immediate action items the president plans to take on during his first 100 days when it comes to immigration reform.
Eaton says, "The DACA kids can rest a little easier under a Biden Harris administration because some of the harshest efforts were from the Trump administration to roll back DACA or eliminate DACA."
The new administration has stated it will protect the hundreds of thousands of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals also known as DACA recipients — who came to the U.S. as children — from deportation. Another group that will also not face deportation under the Biden administration are those who have or are serving in the U.S. military and their families.
23ABC reached out to Congressman David Valadao about these proposals.He told 23ABC, immigration is an important issue and America needs sound immigration policies that are clear and easy for people to understand.
CongressmanDavid Valadao, who represents California's 21st Congressional district said, "Making sure that we have a way to help our dreamers is important. Making sure that we have a process to help the 11 million that are here, those are all things that are important."
Another issue that will stem from these immigration changes is the complexity of the law. Those who are seeking citizenship should seek advice from a licensed immigration attorney.
"Be very cautious of getting involved with anyone who operates as a notary and offering immigration services," said Eaton.
The Biden administration also plans to reverse the Trump administration’s policies that separate parents from their children at the border added will prioritize reuniting any children still separated from their families. When it comes to the political asylum system, President Biden states he will direct resources to make sure applications are processed fairly and efficiently.
