ILAP releases statement on Biden Administration first 100 days in office

PORTLAND - In January 2021, ILAP Maine released their immigration policy priorities and immediate actions for the first 100 days of the Biden-Harris Administration. This was a dynamic list stemming from the ILAP’s expertise in immigration law and also amplified demands from immigrant leaders and immigrant-led groups across state.

ILAP Executive Director Sue Roche released the following statement:

“Comprehensive immigration reform is difficult to accomplish in a closely divided Congress, but the only way that the work can be completed is for it to begin. In these first 100 days of the Biden Administration, that work certainly has started.

“We were pleased to see immediate action by the Biden Administration, including ending the Trump-era public charge wealth test and introducing the US Citizenship Act. However, there is still urgent action needed to reverse anti-asylum policies and end the criminalization of immigrants.

“Our country is in desperate need of a new immigration system that welcomes those who come to the United States to seek safety, reunite with family, or pursue a better life. The amount of trauma and suffering experienced by immigrant Mainers and their families under the four years of the Trump administration cannot be overstated and will take far longer than 100 days to undo. ILAP is committed to continuing our work to build a system that decriminalizes immigration, promotes keeping families together and protects vulnerable people.”

How Biden Administration Has Acted on Select ILAP Priority Policies:

Took swift action to:

  • Set up taskforce to reunite separated families;

  • End the Muslim and African Bans;

  • Stop construction of the border wall;

  • End policy beginning deportation proceedings against survivors of trafficking, domestic violence, and/or serious crimes if application for relief is denied;

  • Not enforce Trump-era fee rules;

  • End the Trump-era public charge wealth test; and

  • Introduce legislation that provides pathway to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented individuals in the United States.

Made some strides in:

  • Dismantling the Migrant Protection Protocols (Remain in Mexico);

  • Reinstating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; and

  • Re-designating and designating new Temporary Protected Status (TPS) countries.

Failed to act on:

  • Reversing the COVID-19 public health Title 42 exclusion at the border;

  • Raising the refugee resettlement ceiling;

  • Issuing a memo preventing immigrant children from being deported;

  • Rescinding restrictive work permit rules for asylum seekers;

  • Vacating Attorney General decisions impacting asylum law;

  • Revoking policy allowing deportation of crime survivors before cases are decided;

  • Supporting legislation that would reduce and/or remove criminal bars to permanent status; and

  • Ending immigration detainers, facial recognition technology, private detention, and family detention.

Press Release, Advocacy in ActionILAP MaineAdvocacy, Policy, Border, Asylum, Travel Ban