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In case you don't follow immigration obsessively, what this means: MPP was one of the worst abuses of the Trump Admin, keeping refugees from presenting themselves for asylum and separating thousands of families. MPP has led to 10-20k people at the border stuck in limbo. (THREAD) https://twitter.com/Tanvim/status/1352056328877961219
Families stuck in MPP are living in shelters, on the street, in refugee tent cities on the bridge at the border, etc. And they were often denied a just process, not receiving information about legal proceedings, when they got anything at all.
Biden has made many campaign promises about reversing Trump's policies and a 100 day deportation moratorium, and immigration movement leaders have been watching closely and putting pressure to ensure this promise is kept -- and that a moratorium is put in place w/out time limit.
The end of entrants into MPP is a big first step in reversing the Trump policies, as is the big immigration related EOs. But there's going to be lots swirling around immigration in the coming days, so some things to keep your eyes peeled for:
Biden Admin has not yet issued a moratorium on deportations, 100 days or otherwise, which is an essential immigration demand to keep families together.
Biden Admin issued EOs today on Muslim Ban (migrants from different mostly Muslim countries can come back in!), the border wall (no more spending our money on that dumb wall!), and deportations (all immigrants are no longer priorities for deportation). The last one is VERY key.
DHS (the agency that administers immigration policies) now issues guidance as an agency that there will be no more new MPP cases. (GOOD!) It doesn't deal with existing MPP cases (complicated!) It doesn't mean new asylum seekers are allowed to apply at points of entry. (YET!)
So this is a big first step, but there's still lots to do around MPP specifically, asylum more broadly, and immigration. But this is a GREAT beginning. Here's what we need next:
-- new asylum rules in place
--new policies implemented by Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) so MPP asylum seekers can cross
--...all under COVID health screening protocols
So this *is* complicated AND the need is urgent. This is a key area to keep an
on.
--new policies implemented by Customs and Border Patrol (CPB) so MPP asylum seekers can cross
--...all under COVID health screening protocols
So this *is* complicated AND the need is urgent. This is a key area to keep an
on.
Biden Admin also issued an EO on DACA where they called on Congress to legislate Dreamer permanent protections (as opposed to temporary nature of executive action, important because of SCOTUS challenges!). This is somewhat in concert with the big "Day One" immigration bill.
Both of those need the support of Congress (specifically Schumer and Pelosi) to move forward in the legislative session. More on that bill here: https://www.vox.com/22233711/biden-day-one-immigration-congress-path-citizenship
And here's Sen Durbin, chair of Judiciary (YAY!) and long time Dreamer Senate champion on a fast track bill for Dreamers: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/01/20/democrats-are-planning-quick-move-dreamers-heres-why/
So now its Congress' move on a bill, presumably someone will introduce the "Biden Day One" bill in the House and Senate, and carry that bill with the full support of the White House, who have committed to trying to get it passed.
AND I would say the other two big things I'm watching for:
: a deportation moratorium for 100 days (major campaign promise, that would be issued from DHS, not the WH). People want this now.
: re-opening the border (WH has indicated this will take "some time").
: a deportation moratorium for 100 days (major campaign promise, that would be issued from DHS, not the WH). People want this now. : re-opening the border (WH has indicated this will take "some time").
(sorry that was so long, a lot is happening in immigration these days!!! happy to answer any questions to the best of my ability)
