Psaki talks immigration actions, China relations

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to issue a series of immigration-related executive orders Tuesday amid confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas as Homeland Security secretary.

actions will include formation of a task force to reunify families separated during Trump administration, steps to restore asylum system and review changes made to immigration system during Trump administration.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday Biden White House is looking to put an immigration process in place "that is humane, that is moral, that considers applications for refugees...that treats people as human beings."

But she warned process "is going to take some time. It's t going to happen overnight."

Biden's administration has deported hundreds of immigrants in its early days despite his campaign pledge to stop removing most people in U.S. illegally at beginning of his term.

Psaki warned anyone considering coming to U.S. illegally to reconsider, saying, "it remains a dangerous trip."

"This is t time to come to United States. We need time to put in place an immigration process so people can be treated humanely," she added.

Asked wher Biden White House is considering any additional actions against Myanmar after its military power grab over weekend, Psaki said State Department has assessed recent events to be "a coup," and she said sanctions are a "big tool that will certainly be assessed."

press secretary was also asked why Biden has yet to schedule a conversation with China's President Xi Jinping.

Psaki said U.S. strategy is to work first with partners and allies "to determine what right time is" to talk with Beijing.

She said "of course relationship with China is going to be multilayered," dealing with climate as well as ecomic and security concerns, and she called it a "priority for President Biden."