According to reports, the Biden administration plans to introduce executive orders and immigration legislation “immediately” after taking office. After a related conference call, commenters called the plans “groundbreaking,” “bold,” and “aggressive.” Congressional Democrats and advocates have been working on a bill. Ideas in the mix include a pathway to U.S. citizenship for an estimated 11 million undocumented people, permanent residence for people with temporary protected status, and an extension of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and permanent residence for DACA recipients.
President-elect Biden was reported as noting that impeachment proceedings in the Senate may slow progress on legislation, along with the need to pass Covid-19 pandemic relief. Immigration reform legislation has been notoriously difficult to pass. It is unclear whether the legislation will be introduced in one comprehensive sweep or broken down into smaller bills, or some of both. Litigation could also have an impact on the Biden administration’s plans.
Related Links:
- “Democrats Ready Immigration Push for Biden’s Early Days,” Politico
- “Biden Plans Early Legislation to Offer Legal Status to 11 Million Immigrants Without It,” Los Angeles Times
- “Biden Plans ‘Roughly a Dozen’ Day One Executive Actions: Aide,” Reuters
- “Trump’s Executive Orders on Immigration Could Be Tough to Undo,” Daily Labor Report, Bloomberg Law
- “The Biden Plan for Securing Our Values as a Nation of Immigrants.”