Published 20:22 IST, February 2nd 2021

Biden to issue executive orders to 'reunite families separated at US-Mexico border'

Biden on February 2 will order a major review of asylum processing at the US-Mexico border and legal immigration system as he seeks to undo Trump's policies.

Reported by: Bhavya Sukheja
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US President Joe Biden on February 2 will order a major review of asylum processing at US-Mexico border and legal immigration system as he seeks to undo former President Donald Trump’s policies. While speaking to media reporters on a conference call, two senior administration officials said that newly minted President will create a task force to reunite migrant families who were separated at US-Mexico border by Trump’s 2018 “zero-tolerance” border strategy. Biden will be signing orders on family separation, border security and legal immigration, bringing to nine number of executive actions on immigration during his first two weeks in office. 

Biden administration has said that as part of actions, President will call for a review of a Trump-era rule that made it harder for poorer immigrants to obtain permanent residency in US. Biden will also mandate a review of Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which is a controversial program that pushed nearly 65,000 asylum seekers back to Mexico to wait for US court hearings. White House has said that it will create a “humane asylum system” by rescinding or reconsidering Trump policies that caused “chaos, cruelty and confusion”.

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Biden’s Tuesday action will follow six immigration orders that he issued n his first day in office. It will furr also jumpstart his ambitious pro-immigrant nda that seeks to erase Trump’s restrictive policies on legal and illegal immigration. White House said that situation at border will t transform overnight, due in large part to dam done over last four years. However, y also added that President is committed to an approach that keeps country safe, strong and prosperous and that also aligns with US’ values. 

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Biden to review Trump’s ‘public charge rule’ 

Furr, Biden is also set to review Trump’s so-called “public charge” rule, which makes it more difficult for people who use government benefits to obtain green cards. White House will do a “top-to-bottom review” of recent regulations, policies and guidance that have set up barriers to legal immigration system. It still remains unclear wher Biden’s executive orders on Tuesday will address two Trump proclamations that banned issuance of many work and immigrant visas, which former President had said would protect American jobs during coronavirus pandemic. 

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Meanwhile, Biden has made immigration a top priority. He has already issued an executive order revoking Muslim ban. He has also unveiled a plan to give farmworkers permeant residency and a way for Dreamers to have a pathway to citizenship. In order to modify Trump’s stringent immigration rules, Biden t only halted construction of US-Mexico border wall but also reversed plans to exclude people in country illegally from 2020 census. Also on his first day in office, Biden proposed legislation to give legal status and a path to citizenship to everyone in country who doesn't have it. 

(With inputs from AP) 

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20:22 IST, February 2nd 2021