This week in immigration news – February 11, 2021
‘They need to move quickly’: A Texas DACA case could force Congress to move on immigration
Immigrant advocates and DACA youth are expecting that a federal judge in Texas will act to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals within the next few days. Protecting DACA youth was a key part of President Biden’s campaign, and advocates and DACA youth are calling on the administration and Congress to act.
Biden takes action on anti-immigrant policies but Trump’s influence hovers
Immigrant advocates see hope in some of the early actions that were taken by the Biden administration to roll back policies implemented under President Trump, but there are still challenges—for example, recently, when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) attempted to circumvent guidelines on deportations issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
Judge extends restraining order against Biden’s deportation freeze
Judge Drew Tipton of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas extended a restraining order on Biden’s planned 100-day freeze on deportations that was set to expire, citing the “harm” that the freeze would do to Texas.
Outcry as more than 20 babies and children deported by U.S. to Haiti
Immigrant advocates are criticizing the Biden administration after 72 people were deported to Haiti this week, including a two-month old baby and 21 other children. Although the Biden administration has reversed course on many of the immigration policies that were enforced by former President Trump, it has continued with deporting new immigrants, pending a review of policy.
New Biden rules for ICE point to fewer arrests and deportations, and a more restrained agency
ICE is preparing to roll out new guidelines that will focus immigration arrests on national security threats, new border crossers, and people with aggravated felony convictions.
