So theoretically he can give then a pardon for being here illegally (assuming they haven't gotten green cards or citizenship) but that is ONLY retrospectively. You can't pardon someone for their future actions. So on Jan 20th they are pardoned for all past illegal conduct. But on Jan 21st if they haven't gotten citizenship or green cards…
So theoretically he can give then a pardon for being here illegally (assuming they haven't gotten green cards or citizenship) but that is ONLY retrospectively. You can't pardon someone for their future actions. So on Jan 20th they are pardoned for all past illegal conduct. But on Jan 21st if they haven't gotten citizenship or green cards, they are one again violating the immigration laws..
The pardon power is the only "all powerful" thing the President has. He can't grant citizenship or give permission for future conduct. So sadly I came to the conclusion that there was no legitimate way for Biden to do anything substantial to help any non citizens to get legal resident status. To do that, you still have to go through the normal immigration process.
Sigh... add I said this is not a perfect solution and it doesn't solve every problem, but it so solve a lot of them.
So theoretically he can give then a pardon for being here illegally (assuming they haven't gotten green cards or citizenship) but that is ONLY retrospectively. You can't pardon someone for their future actions. So on Jan 20th they are pardoned for all past illegal conduct. But on Jan 21st if they haven't gotten citizenship or green cards, they are one again violating the immigration laws..
The pardon power is the only "all powerful" thing the President has. He can't grant citizenship or give permission for future conduct. So sadly I came to the conclusion that there was no legitimate way for Biden to do anything substantial to help any non citizens to get legal resident status. To do that, you still have to go through the normal immigration process.
Sigh... add I said this is not a perfect solution and it doesn't solve every problem, but it so solve a lot of them.
Just not this one.