Bulletins

Google calls for immigration reform during Biden era

Google is calling for immigration reform during the Biden era ahead of a court ruling this week that could put the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program at risk.

Google's Kent Walker in a blog post said Google is committing to donate $250,000 to cover the DACA applications of over 500 "Dreamers," or young undocumented immigrants, ahead of the court decision, but acknowledged it's a "temporary fix."

"We need legislation that not only protects Dreamers, but also delivers other much-needed reforms," Walker wrote. "We will support efforts by the new Congress and incoming Administration to pass comprehensive immigration reform that improves employment-based visa programs that enhance American competitiveness, gives greater assurance to immigrant workers and employers, and promotes better and more humane immigration processing and border security practices."

President-elect Joe Biden has pledged to make immigration reform a top priority for his administration, and Google is seeking to carve out a space as a leader in those efforts.

A federal judge in Texas could soon decide to halt DACA, leaving Dreamers in limbo again.

Emily Birnbaum

Emily Birnbaum ( @birnbaum_e) is a former tech policy reporter with Protocol. Her coverage focuses on the U.S. government's attempts to regulate one of the most powerful industries in the world, with a focus on antitrust, privacy and politics. Previously, she worked as a tech policy reporter with The Hill after spending several months as a breaking news reporter. She is a Bethesda, Maryland native and proud Kenyon College alumna.

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