Biden Immediately Begins Dismantling Trump’s Immigration Policies
The speed at which the Biden administration is committed to undoing 4 years of horrible immigration policy is exciting to say the least. Yesterday, President Biden issued an executive order that resets our immigration priorities. These priorities are exactly that, a focus on the most serious crises we currently face that affect our immigration system. The first paragraph of the order describes the value of immigrants to this country and where our focus should be:
Section 1. Policy. Immigrants have helped strengthen America’s families, communities, businesses and workforce, and economy, infusing the United States with creativity, energy, and ingenuity. The task of enforcing the immigration laws is complex and requires setting priorities to best serve the national interest. The policy of my Administration is to protect national and border security, address the humanitarian challenges at the southern border, and ensure public health and safety. We must also adhere to due process of law as we safeguard the dignity and well-being of all families and communities. My Administration will reset the policies and practices for enforcing civil immigration laws to align enforcement with these values and priorities.
Additionally, DHS (Department of Homeland Security) issued its own memorandum, restating its new enforcement priorities, “Review of the Interim Revision to Civil Immigration Enforcement and Removal Policies and Priorities.” This memorandum applies to all of the immigration agencies within DHS (USCIS, ICE, and CBP) and immediately rescinds numerous Trump memorandums related to enforcement policy. This memorandum spells out the focus of the Biden administration, and ensures that enforcement resources are used intelligently for serious threats to national security and public safety, while directing the use of DHS resources to the real crises we face on the southern border and with the continuing pandemic.