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This November, a majority of American voters selected Joe Biden as this country’s next President, and Catholic Migration Services expects President-Elect Biden to be inaugurated on January 20, 2021. After four years of near constant attacks leveled on our immigrant communities by the Trump administration, we are finally looking towards a future brimming with hope for immigrant communities. Although the Biden administration cannot officially make any policy changes until after the inauguration, we are anticipating that the new administration could make several important policy changes to aid immigrants.
In recent statements, President-Elect Biden has stated that he will seek to quickly reverse some of the Trump administration’s most controversial policies on immigration, including:
- ending the travel ban on immigrants from majority Muslim countries;
- ending the forced separation of children from their parents at the Southern border;
- ending the detention of child asylum-seekers;
- reversing the Trump administration attempts to dismantle protections for asylees;
- continuing protections for Dreamers through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program; and
- reviewing Trump administration decisions to eliminate Temporary Protected Status (“TPS”) designations for citizens from several countries.
Although some of President-Elect Biden’s policy changes can be made quickly by Executive Order, it is important to keep in mind that the Trump administration implemented more than 400 immigration policy changes, and it will take the Biden administration some time and effort to undo them. In addition to changes the Biden administration can make without legislative action, there remains an opportunity for our legislative branches to work together to pass new laws that will provide longer lasting benefits to immigrant communities. Catholic Migration Services is hopeful that the next four years will prove to be the re-introduction of the U.S. as a nation that welcomes immigrants.
It is important for immigrants to stay informed of policy changes that take place after President-Elect Biden takes office. For additional information and ongoing updates, please visit our website at www.catholicmigration.org and follow us on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @CMSBQ.
In addition, consult with a trusted legal service provided to understand your rights and your options. Call Catholic Migration Services in Brooklyn at (718) 236-3000 or in Queens at (347) 472-3500 for free legal advice. You can also obtain free legal advice by calling 311 and asking for “Action NYC.”
