[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]January 20th was Inauguration Day in the United States. The inauguration of President Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th president of the United States marks the beginning of a shift in the immigration policies of the country. Within hours of being sworn in, President Biden began making dramatic changes to immigration law, signing several executive orders and introducing the US Citizenship Act of 2021. The Biden administration has placed a focus on overhauling the immigration system in the country, with the changes geared towards making immigration to the United States easier.
The executive orders undo several actions taken by the Trump administration, which we have previously discussed. One executive order reaffirms the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which the Trump administration tried to end unsuccessfully. Though the program had already been fully restored by court order, the executive order also explicitly implores Congress to provide a more permanent solution for the immigrants known as Dreamers, including a path to citizenship. Another executive order reinstates deportation protection for Liberians with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) protections.
Three other executive orders reverse or undo specific policies implemented by the Trump administration. One order ends the controversial travel ban targeting mostly majority-Muslim countries that was put in place at the beginning of the Trump presidency. Another executive order on immigration immediately ends the construction of a border wall with Mexico. A third order undoes the Trump immigration policies that led to the separation of immigrant families. Separate from executive orders, it was also announced that there would be a pause of certain deportations for 100 days and that new asylum seekers will no longer be subject to the so-called "Remain in Mexico" policy.
Find the executive orders here.
And on top of the executive orders, the Biden administration introduced ambitious immigration legislation called the US Citizenship Act of 2021. The administration provided a fact sheet on the legislation, which is embedded below. It highlights the following aspects of the bill: Provide pathways to citizenship & strengthen labor protections, prioritize smart border controls, and address root causes of migration.
The Law Offices of Scott Warmuth has been helping immigrants live and work in the United States since 1984. We hope these changes to immigration law makes it easier for our clients to achieve their immigration goals. Our immigration lawyers will continue to monitor any developments and potential changes to immigration law to best serve our clients. If you are seeking immigration help, do not hesitate to call our offices at 888-517-9888 to request a free consultation with our immigration experts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
