Washington, D.C. — The incoming Biden administration can jump-start a series of crucial immigration reforms by issuing a clear and expansive executive order in its first days in office, according to a new column released today by the Center for American Progress. Such an order would lay out a clear condemnation of the damaged system that he is inheriting, articulate a vision for the direction in which he will take things over the course of his term in office, and make initial, urgently needed changes consistent with that vision.
These would include the imposition of a 100-day moratorium on deportations while the administration conducts a comprehensive review of outstanding cases and develops a set of sensible enforcement priorities. The changes put in motion through such an executive order would, over the course of the first 100 days and beyond, help to build an immigration system that is more fair, humane, and workable.
As part of the executive order, President-elect Joe Biden should immediately rescind executive orders and policies that run counter to those values and objectives and task Cabinet secretaries with the responsibility of delivering new plans and policies on a series of issues consistent with the administration’s vision.
The Biden administration should also work closely with the new Congress to use all legislative tools to enact legislation without delay. This should include permanent protections and a path to citizenship for undocumented essential workers and their families—who continue to play an important role in the nation’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic and will play a similarly critical role in the country’s efforts to rebuild—as well as Dreamers and TPS holders.
“After the past four years, the task of repairing the damage done to our immigration system and immigrant communities is enormous. But because the stakes are so high, the work must begin immediately and be sustained for the duration of the incoming administration,” said Tom Jawetz, vice president of Immigration Policy at the Center for American Progress and author of the column. “The country needs an immigration system that truly reflects American values at their best; a system that is fair, humane, and workable; a system that is capable of being followed and deserving of being enforced in a fair and just way. That must begin immediately.”
Relates resources:
“Restoring the Rule of Law Through a Fair, Humane, and Workable Immigration System” by Tom Jawetz
“Protecting Undocumented Workers on the Pandemic’s Front Lines” by Nicole Prchal Svajlenka
“TPS Can Promote Stability and Recovery for Central American Countries Hit by Recent Hurricanes” by Silva Mathema and Tom Jawetz
“A New Paradigm for Humane and Effective Immigration Enforcement” by Peter L. Markowitz
“Resources on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals” by the CAP Immigration team
For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Claudia Montecinos at [email protected].