On Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, President Biden issued a series of executive actions on several immigration policies and programs.
These actions include:
- Directing the Secretary of Homeland Security to take appropriate action to preserve and fortify Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), consistent with applicable law.
- Reinstating the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians, extending protections and employment authorization through June 30, 2022, for Liberians and certain other persons without nationality who were covered by DED as of Jan. 10, 2021. DHS will issue a Federal Register notice soon to implement these DED directives.
- Requiring a department-wide review of all enforcement policies and practices within 100 days, along with recommendations regarding enforcement, prosecutorial discretion, detention and interaction with state and local law enforcement. This memorandum also sets interim policies during that review, including a 100-day pause on certain removals. It also includes an appendix of memos that have been rescinded, including the Notice to Appear memorandum dated June 28, 2018.
- Suspending new enrollments in the Migrant Protection Protocols program.
- Halting construction of the border wall along the southern border.