WATCH: Biden proposes immigration reform to provide new pathways to citizenship

The United States should reform immigration law to “provide a pathway to citizenship” for recipients to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as "Dreamers"– people who arrived in America as children, along with people on “temporary status," and farm and essential workers, President Joe Biden said during his first State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

“Revise our laws so businesses have the workers they need and families don’t wait decades to reunite,” Biden said.

Biden said support for reform came from a wide spectrum of American groups including businesses, labor unions and religious organizations.

“It’s not only the right thing to do—it’s the economically smart thing to do,” Biden said.

Biden also called on continuing efforts to “secure the border” against illegal immigration and drug trafficking. This included more surveillance technology as well as cooperation with governments in South and Central America.

“We can do all this while keeping lit the torch of liberty that has led generations of immigrants to this land—my forefathers and so many of yours,” Biden said.

When Biden delivered his first State of the Union address, it was to a nation in the throes of different crises. It came amid a Russian invasion into Ukraine and continued challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic, with midterms that could change the balance of power in Congress months away.

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