Biden's Immigration Agenda Takes Form
Some Rules And Regulations Under Review, ICE Restrained, And More
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Let’s take a look at the recent developments in immigration policy.
National Politics 🏛️
ALI MAYORKAS was sworn in as Secretary of Homeland Security by Vice President Kamala Harris this past Tuesday. The executive department faces numerous challenges — from rolling back Donald Trump’s “America First” initiatives to course-correcting enforcement priorities for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Be sure to read up on how advocates successfully canceled deportation flights (#ICEair) to Haiti, Cameroon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo late last week and how charter flight companies profit from immigrants in ICE custody.
The Washington Post — The Biden administration is attempting to reorient ICE, a law enforcement agency that has seen its priorities swing wildly from one administration to the next. But frustrated ICE officials say the proposed changes will take away agents’ discretion and severely constrain their ability to arrest and deport criminals. [02/07/21]
MEANWHILE, President Biden signed new executive orders (EOs) on immigration. The best breakdown of these orders can be seen in the Los Angeles Times, courtesy of Pulitzer Prize winner Molly O’Toole.
You can find an even smaller breakdown of Biden’s EOS on this Twitter thread I wrote on the day the orders were signed. At the same time, America’s Voice, an immigrant advocacy organization based in washing D.C. noted that “building a fair, humane and functional asylum and immigration system will take time,” but recognized that “desperation on the ground calls out for urgent and immediate action.”
ON LEGISLATION, Senators Durbin (D-IL) and Graham (R-SC) reintroduced the Dream Act in the U.S. Senate. This year marks the twentieth time Durbin has filed the popular legislation and reiterated in an impassioned speech that “this is the year” he hopes to get it through Congress.
ON TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS, Ned Price, a spokesperson for the State Department, outlined the Biden Administration’s approach to Venezuela, including working on a TPS designation. The State Department also announced that it would suspend terminate the “Asylum Cooperative Agreements,” acknowledging that a regional framework will be needed to create a “safe and orderly processing of asylum seekers at the U.S. border.”
State Policy 🏢
PENNSYLVANIA is considering legislation that would allow undocumented immigrants to access driver’s licenses. House Bill 279 would follow similar models also ensure data and privacy restrictions are placed to prevent retaliation or collaboration between federal immigration enforcement agencies and local law enforcement unless specific criteria (e.g., a court order) are met.
What I Am Reading 📰
The Marshall Project — These Young People Were Told They Could Stay in the U.S. They Might Get Deported Anyway
Atlanta Journal Constitution — OPINION: Open door to higher education for immigrants
NBC News — DOJ watchdog: Jeff Sessions should answer questions on zero tolerance
Tampa Bay Times — COLUMN: Too many Florida Republicans can’t resist anti-immigrant demagoguery
USA TODAY — Biden administration to house migrant teens at overflow facility in Texas closed under Trump