close
close

She is a US citizen, he has no papers: A love story.

She is a US citizen, he has no papers: A love story.

Immigration is once again a major issue in the presidential election campaign. President Biden’s recent measures to restrict asylum are aimed at Reducing migration at the southern borderHe also recently issued an executive order to help undocumented spouses seeking U.S. residency. Former President Donald Trump has proposed using the military to deport migrants en masse, among other things.

Among those watching how this all plays out is Javier Quiroz, an undocumented immigrant who has spent most of his life in the United States. His wife and high school sweetheart, Haleigh, is a U.S. citizen. They had a hard time planning their life together—until last week, when Biden announced the executive action that would change everything for them.

Martine Powers talks to immigration reporter Maria Sacchetti about Javier and Haleigh Quiroz and their love story. They are among the more than 500,000 couples whose lives could change under Biden’s new policies. But in November, their lives could change back depending on who the next president becomes.

Today’s show was produced by Rennie Svirnovskiy, with assistance from Ali Bianco and Trinity Webster-Bass. It was mixed by Sean Carter and engineered by Monica Campbell. Thanks to Dominic Anthony Walsh.

Subscribe to the Washington Post Here and watch the latest season of Audio course “Try it out”.