Joe Biden Gets to Work in Reversal of Trump Immigration Policies

Joe Biden has implemented a flurry of policies and executive orders, aimed at reversing many of the the immigration policies implemented by the Trump administration.

A Call with the Mexican President

Joe Biden has spoken with the president of Mexico and vowed that he will end the previous administration’s “draconian” immigration policies.

Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador took to Twitter after his call with Biden, saying:

“We dealt with affairs related to immigration, Covid-19, and cooperation for development and well-being. Everything indicates relations will be for the good of our people and countries,”

A White House readout of the call said the priority would be “reversing the previous administration’s draconian immigration policies”.

Flurry of Policies and Executive Orders

The Biden administration has also sent a proposal to Congress to open a pathway to citizenship for nearly 11 million undocumented people living in the U.S. This legislation would create an 8-year path to citizenship for those in the country without documents. Should it be passed, this policy would be the single biggest overhaul of the American immigration system in decades.

The legislation will also cut waiting times for green cards, strengthen labour protections, offer child migrants an immediate path to residency, strengthen labour protections, clear the immigration court backlog, boost technological security systems at the border and send billions of dollars in aid to Central American countries to address social problems which may arise as a result of migration to the U.S.

Such legislation would reflect the sentiments of the majority of Americans. Around 75% of Americans support a legal path to citizenship for undocumented people in the U.S, including a majority of Republicans.

Still, the legislation is likely to face tough opposition in Congress and is unlikely to pass in its full form according to party leaders. The full immigration reform plan of Biden would require the support of a bipartisan majority of 60 senators.

Florida Republican senator, Marco Rubio, said:

“There are many issues I think we can work cooperatively with [then] president-elect Biden, but a blanket amnesty for people who are here unlawfully isn’t going to be one of them.”

Democrats are also unsure whether the full bill will pass through Congress. Illinois senator, Dick Durbin, said:

“We understand the political reality of a 50-50 Senate, that any changes in immigration will require cooperation between the parties” and that anything which makes it through the upper house “will not reach the same levels.”

Biden Executive Orders

Biden has issued a number of other immigration executive orders since he took office last week.

To the joy of many, Biden has repealed the so-called ‘Muslim ban’ which banned nationals of eight countries from entering the U.S, most of which were Muslim-majority countries.

There has also been a halt on the Mexico border wall construction, a 100-day moratorium on deportations and the stopping of enrolment for the Trump administration’s “remain in Mexico” policy. He has also deescalated tough enforcement tactics left over from the Trump administration which made most undocumented migrants priorities for arrest, leading to family separations.

The Biden administration has also revoked the emergency declaration which funnelled billions towards Trump’s border wall.

In one of the executive orders, Biden wrote:

“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.”

Do you need Immigration Advice or Application Assistance?

If you are looking for immigration advice, the IAS in America is here for you. Whether you are looking to apply for an American visa, or you are worried about your immigration status, we can help.

Our expert immigration attorneys are passionate about the service they offer. To find out more about all our services, please call us now on +1 844 290 6312.

Joe Biden is seeking to implement the biggest reform in American immigration policy in years. [Image credit: Associated Press]

Protesters against the ‘Muslim Ban’, which was implemented by the Trump administration. [Image credit: Aclu.org]