04.01.21
01.28.21
In the first six days of his presidency, President Biden has issued seven executive orders directly related to U.S. immigration, as well as other actions paving the way for additional changes to come, signaling the importance of these issues to the new administration.
Travel Ban from Predominantly Muslim Countries
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
U.S. Census and Undocumented Individuals
Protections for Liberians
Immigration Deportation Prioritization
U.S.-Mexican Border Wall
Covid-19 Travel Restrictions
The above executive actions are in addition to a memorandum, issued on day one of the Biden administration, which suspends for 60 days, and requires further review of, all new and pending rules issued in the waning days of the Trump administration. This includes the new wage based H-1B selection process. Further, on January 20, 2021, by executive order, President Biden ordered the Revocation of Certain Executive Orders Concerning Federal Regulation, which revokes several executive orders issued by President Trump viewed as hindering the ability of executive departments and agencies to “use robust regulatory action to address national priorities,” including U.S. immigration. Both the memorandum and executive order signal that the Biden administration is just getting started on its attempts to reverse many Trump rules and policies, and introduce meaningful changes to the U.S. immigration system (many of which may require congressional approval).