Biden at the Three-Year Mark: The Most Active Immigration Presidency Yet Is Mired in Border Crisis Narrative

Overview:

This research report by the Migration Policy Institute delves into the Biden administration's immigration policy over its first three years, highlighting the administration's proactive stance with 535 immigration actions, surpassing the efforts of the previous administration.

• The Biden administration has made significant strides in legal immigration, refugee admissions, and humanitarian protections, contributing to economic bolstering and reduced enforcement fears among noncitizens.
• Despite these efforts, the administration faces criticism for its handling of the border crisis, with record migrant encounters and political challenges, including impeachment proceedings against the Homeland Security secretary.

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Key Quotes:

• "By taking 535 immigration actions over its first three years, the Biden administration has already outpaced the 472 immigration-related executive actions undertaken in all four years of President Donald Trump’s term."
• "The U.S. southern border has witnessed a record of at least 6.3 million migrant encounters at and between ports of entry since Biden took office in January 2021, resulting in more than 2.4 million migrants allowed into the country."

What They Discuss:

• The administration's immigration actions have led to legal immigration returning to and surpassing pre-pandemic levels, with refugee admissions on pace to reach the highs of the 1990s.
• A new border process aims to discourage irregular arrivals, while temporary humanitarian protections have been extended to hundreds of thousands.
• Enforcement priorities have shifted to focus on narrower categories of unauthorized immigrants, amidst a backdrop of a border crisis with record migrant encounters.
• Negotiations for a $110 billion package are underway, aiming for tightened border controls and asylum eligibility in exchange for aid to various countries.
• The administration has introduced carrot-and-stick measures at the border, faced challenges with Title 42 expulsions, and implemented new guidelines for interior enforcement affecting immigrants' daily lives.

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What They Recommend:

The article does not explicitly list recommendations but suggests a need for comprehensive immigration reform, improved border management strategies, and continued efforts to provide humanitarian protections while addressing the challenges of irregular migration.

Key Takeaways:

• The Biden administration has taken a proactive approach to immigration, surpassing the previous administration in the number of executive actions.
• Despite successes in legal immigration and humanitarian protections, the administration faces significant challenges with the border crisis and political opposition.
• The administration's efforts to negotiate with Congress for improved border controls and asylum processes reflect a complex landscape of immigration policy and politics.

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This is a brief overview of the Migration Policy Institute's work on the Biden administration's immigration record. For complete insights, we recommend reading the full article.