President Joe Biden is set to announce a new policy that would protect hundreds of thousands of undocumented spouses of US citizens from deportation.

BBC News says the action will apply to those who have been in the country for at least 10 years and will allow them to work in the US legally.

The White House reportedly believes more than 500,000 spouses of US citizens will benefit.

This is the most significant relief programme for undocumented migrants already in the US since the Obama administration announced Daca (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) in 2012.

BBC News says the White House is also planning to ease and speed up the visa process for highly skilled undocumented immigrants who have received degrees from US universities or who have received a job offer in their field.