DHS to suspend some evictions for Biden’s first 100 days to review policies

The Biden administration on Wednesday evening ordered a pause on some evictions for 100 days from Friday at the latest, as it reviews enforcement policies.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske led a review of immigration law enforcement practices and policies.

“For 100 days, starting January 22, 2021, DHS will suspend removals of certain non-citizens facing deportation to ensure we have a fair and effective immigration control system focused on protection national security, border security and public safety, “said a statement.

The move comes on the first day of President Joe Biden’s administration. Biden was sworn in as 46th president earlier Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump, who left for Florida ahead of the inauguration ceremony, has been criticized for deportations and sweeping policies regarding immigration and border issues and a widely condemned “zero tolerance” policy that separated thousands children of their families.

Lawyers working to reunite separated families under the Trump administration said they had been unable to locate the parents of hundreds of the children.

Biden revoked one of Trump’s first executive orders on Wednesday, essentially making it a policy to act illegally on anyone in the country and oppose exemptions.

Biden is committed to “restoring sound enforcement priorities,” and he said targeting those who have lived and worked in the United States for decades is counterproductive.

Biden also signed executive orders on Wednesday repealing Trump’s restrictions on travel from several Muslim-majority countries and halting construction of the southern border wall.

Pekoske issued a memo ordering Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other parts of the Department of Homeland Security “to review and reset enforcement policies and to define interim policies for civilian enforcement while the Department develops its final priorities.

For civilian enforcement, the memo says, homeland security priorities for now will focus on things like national security risks, people stopped at the border trying to enter illegally, and people released from prisons. or prisons after being convicted of serious crimes.

The 100-day break on enforcing ordered deportations does not apply to those suspected of terrorism or other national security concerns, according to the memo.

This also does not apply to those who were not in the United States before November 1 or who waive their right to stay, and it does not apply if the Acting Director of Immigration and Customs “makes an individualized decision” that the referral is required.