Biden to Sign Three Immigration-Related Executive Orders Today

Today, President Joe Biden will sign three immigration-related executive orders (EOs). These EOs largely serve to undo various immigration policies and practices implemented by the Trump Administration. The first two EOs focus on the previous administration’s efforts related to undocumented immigrants and asylum seekers, while the third EO seeks to reverse policies that have created roadblocks in the legal immigration system.

Reunification of Families

The first EO creates a task force charged with reunifying families who were separated under the previous administration’s immigration policies. There are still hundreds of children in U.S. custody after being taken from undocumented parents seeking to enter the United States. Alejandro Mayorkas, who is expected to be confirmed today by the U.S. Senate to serve as the Secretary of Homeland Security, will lead the task force.

Develop Strategy to Address Irregular Migration Across Southern Border

The second EO seeks to create a comprehensive plan to address migration across the U.S.-Mexico border. President Biden is looking to reverse the Trump Administration’s hardline approach to ensure “safe, lawful, and orderly migration in the region.”

Restore Faith in Legal Immigration System

Finally, the third EO aims to undo policies established by the Trump Administration that have made the legal immigration system more challenging. While few specifics are provided in the EO, it does order a “top-to-bottom review of recent regulations, policies, and guidance that have set up barriers to our legal immigration system.”

Conclusion

With Mr. Mayorkas expected to take the helm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) later today, the hope is that stakeholders will begin to see some positive changes in the coming months. From the employment-based perspective, everything from the colossal delays in processing times to the harsh and inconsistent adjudication standards in recent years must be addressed in order for the United States to return to its place as a magnet for the best and brightest talent the world has to offer.

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