by Mieko Preston, Leslie Kamil, and Lisa Kamil
The following Presidential Actions reconcile many policies put into practice by the previous administration regarding restrictive, inhumane immigration practices and implement policies to boost economic recovery.
Executive Orders – Important Issues
13989: Ethics Commitments by Executive Branch Personnel signed January 20, 2021
On January 20, 2021, the President signed EO 13989 requiring every appointee in every executive agency appointed on or after January 20, 2021, to sign, and contractually commit to decision-making on the merits and exclusively in the public interest, without regard to private gain or personal benefit. I commit to conduct that upholds the independence of law enforcement and precludes improper interference with investigative or prosecutorial decisions of the Department of Justice. I commit to ethical choices of post-Government employment that do not raise the appearance that I have used my Government service for private gain, including by using confidential information acquired and relationships established for the benefit of future clients. Read more
Proclamations
National Black History Month, 2021 signed February 3, 2021
“This February, during Black History Month, I call on the American people to honor the history and achievements of Black Americans and to reflect on the centuries of struggle that have brought us to this time of reckoning, redemption, and hope.” Read more
Memoranda
Regulatory Freeze Pending Review signed January 20, 2021
“From Ronald A. Klain The President has asked me to communicate to each of you his plan for managing the Federal regulatory process at the outset of his Administration. In order to ensure that the President’s appointees or designees have the opportunity to review any new or pending rules, at the direction of the President, I ask that you immediately take the following steps:” Read more
Executive Orders – Immigration
14010: Creating a Comprehensive Regional Framework To Address the Causes of Migration, To Manage Migration Throughout North and Central America, and To Provide Safe and Orderly Processing of Asylum Seekers at the United States Border signed February 2, 2021 “The United States is also a country with borders and with laws that must be enforced. Securing our borders does not require us to ignore the humanity of those who seek to cross them. The opposite is true. We cannot solve the humanitarian crisis at our border without addressing the violence, instability, and lack of opportunity that compel so many people to flee their homes. Nor is the United States safer when resources that should be invested in policies targeting actual threats, such as drug cartels and human traffickers, are squandered on efforts to stymie legitimate asylum seekers.” Read more
14011: Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families signed February 2, 2021
“It is the policy of my Administration to respect and value the integrity of families seeking to enter the United States. My Administration condemns the human tragedy that occurred when our immigration laws were used to intentionally separate children from their parents or legal guardians (families), including through the use of the Zero-Tolerance Policy. My Administration will protect family unity and ensure that children entering the United States are not separated from their families, except in the most extreme circumstances where a separation is clearly necessary for the safety and well-being of the child or is required by law.” Read more
14012: Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans signed February 2, 2021
“Consistent with our character as a Nation of opportunity and of welcome, it is essential to ensure that our laws and policies encourage full participation by immigrants, including refugees, in our civic life; that immigration processes and other benefits are delivered effectively and efficiently; and that the Federal Government eliminates sources of fear and other barriers that prevent immigrants from accessing government services available to them. Our Nation is enriched socially and economically by the presence of immigrants, and we celebrate with them as they take the important step of becoming United States citizens. The Federal Government should develop welcoming strategies that promote integration, inclusion, and citizenship, and it should embrace the full participation of the newest Americans in our democracy.” Read more
Proclamations
The Termination Of Emergency With Respect To the Southern Border Of the United States and Redirection Of Funds Diverted To Border Wall Construction signed January 20, 2021
This proclamation pauses the construction of the border wall project by rescinding the emergency status and its funding. ‘“It shall be the policy of my Administration that no more American taxpayer dollars be diverted to construct a border wall,” Biden’s proclamation states.’
Executive Orders – Economy
14003: Protecting the Federal Workforce signed January 22, 2021
This executive order revokes several executive orders, returns collective bargaining power and worker protections to federal workers, and promotes recommendations for federal workers’ $15 minimum wage. Read more
14005: Ensuring the Future Is Made in All of America by All of America’s Workers signed January 25, 2021
This executive order takes steps to reduce and end loopholes and waivers and provide more oversight for the federal government’s domestic goods purchases. Read more
Proclamations
Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States signed February 1, 2021 “Proclamation 10139 of January 19, 2021 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), amended Proclamation 9704 (Adjusting Imports of Aluminum Into the United States), as amended, with respect to tariffs on certain imports of aluminum articles proclaimed under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, as amended (19 U.S.C. 1862). Proclamation 10139 provides that those amendments will not take effect until 12:01 a.m. on February 3, 2021.” Read more
Memoranda
Modernizing Regulatory Review signed January 20, 2021“For nearly four decades, the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) in the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has been charged by Presidents of both parties with reviewing significant executive branch regulatory actions. This process is largely governed by Executive Order 12866 of September 30, 1993 (Regulatory Planning and Review), as amended. This memorandum reaffirms the basic principles set forth in that order and in Executive Order 13563 of January 18, 2011 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review), which took important steps towards modernizing the regulatory review process. When carried out properly, that process can help to advance regulatory policies that improve the lives of the American people.” Read more
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In Case You Missed ItExecutive Orders – February 4
https://equalityingov.org/2021/02/presidential-actions-whats-the-difference/
COVID Executive Orders – February 11