President Biden signs executive orders and releases new immigration legislation

-
BlogOn January 20, President Biden signed several executive orders (EOs) that reversed previous immigration-related actions taken by the Trump Administration.President Biden signs executive orders and releases new immigration legislation
-
Blog
President Biden signs executive orders and releases new immigration legislation
On January 20, President Biden signed several executive orders (EOs) that reversed previous immigration-related actions taken by the Trump Administration. The president also announced his proposed comprehensive legislation that would make broad changes to current immigration laws, the pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents and border security policy. Although immigration is a federal responsibility, lack of congressional reform and shifting federal administrative policies have created confusion and uncertainty for county governments, who must provide for the well-being and safety of all members of our communities, including immigrant populations.
President Biden’s EOs revoke previous EOs issued by President Trump including excluding noncitizens from the 2020 census, banning Muslims and withholding federal funds from “sanctuary” cities. Another EO halts construction of the southern border wall and reviews the legality of its funding and contracting. President Biden also signed a memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Attorney General to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and calls on Congress to provide permanent status and a pathway to citizenship. In response, DHS published a memorandum detailing the agency’s 100-day pause on certain deportations in order to “focus the Department’s resources where they are most needed."
In addition to the executive orders, President Biden released the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, a legislative framework proposing broad immigration reforms. The bill aims to provide a clear pathway for citizenship for 11 million undocumented individuals, modernize employment and labor protections for legal immigrants, establish additional border security measures and create additional funding for state and local governments to support integration and citizenship programs. Additionally, the bill would clarify the county role in the immigration process and provide counties with direct funding to better integrate new citizens into our communities. Finally, it would help boost local economies by streamlining the visa process and enhancing workforce development.
Some in Congress have already signaled their eagerness to pass this legislation. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-Calif.) announced that he will introduce the bill in the U.S. Senate, while Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) plans to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House.
Additional immigration-related actions, including agency review of the Trump Administration’s public charge rule, are forthcoming.
Given the central role of county governments in ensuring the health and safety of all members of local communities, county leaders are important stakeholders in discussions related to federal immigration policies. NACo calls on Congress to pass comprehensive, meaningful immigration legislation that provides clarity at the local level and helps counties work with federal partners on immigration issues while serving the needs of all residents.
Additional Resources:
- NACo Immigration Reform Task Force
- NACo Immigration Reform Task Force: County Role in Immigration
- NACo Blog: Supreme Court rules in favor of DACA
- NACo Blog: Administration announces plan to phase out DACA; puts pressure on Congress to act
On January 20, President Biden signed several executive orders (EOs) that reversed previous immigration-related actions taken by the Trump Administration.2021-01-26Blog2021-01-27
On January 20, President Biden signed several executive orders (EOs) that reversed previous immigration-related actions taken by the Trump Administration. The president also announced his proposed comprehensive legislation that would make broad changes to current immigration laws, the pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents and border security policy. Although immigration is a federal responsibility, lack of congressional reform and shifting federal administrative policies have created confusion and uncertainty for county governments, who must provide for the well-being and safety of all members of our communities, including immigrant populations.
President Biden’s EOs revoke previous EOs issued by President Trump including excluding noncitizens from the 2020 census, banning Muslims and withholding federal funds from “sanctuary” cities. Another EO halts construction of the southern border wall and reviews the legality of its funding and contracting. President Biden also signed a memorandum directing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Attorney General to preserve the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and calls on Congress to provide permanent status and a pathway to citizenship. In response, DHS published a memorandum detailing the agency’s 100-day pause on certain deportations in order to “focus the Department’s resources where they are most needed."
In addition to the executive orders, President Biden released the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021, a legislative framework proposing broad immigration reforms. The bill aims to provide a clear pathway for citizenship for 11 million undocumented individuals, modernize employment and labor protections for legal immigrants, establish additional border security measures and create additional funding for state and local governments to support integration and citizenship programs. Additionally, the bill would clarify the county role in the immigration process and provide counties with direct funding to better integrate new citizens into our communities. Finally, it would help boost local economies by streamlining the visa process and enhancing workforce development.
Some in Congress have already signaled their eagerness to pass this legislation. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-Calif.) announced that he will introduce the bill in the U.S. Senate, while Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.) plans to introduce companion legislation in the U.S. House.
Additional immigration-related actions, including agency review of the Trump Administration’s public charge rule, are forthcoming.
Given the central role of county governments in ensuring the health and safety of all members of local communities, county leaders are important stakeholders in discussions related to federal immigration policies. NACo calls on Congress to pass comprehensive, meaningful immigration legislation that provides clarity at the local level and helps counties work with federal partners on immigration issues while serving the needs of all residents.
Additional Resources:
- NACo Immigration Reform Task Force
- NACo Immigration Reform Task Force: County Role in Immigration
- NACo Blog: Supreme Court rules in favor of DACA
- NACo Blog: Administration announces plan to phase out DACA; puts pressure on Congress to act

About Eryn Hurley (Full Bio)
Director of Government Affairs & Federal Fellowship Initiative
Eryn serves as the Director for NACo’s Government Affairs Department. In this capacity, she assists in Legislative and Executive Branch outreach and advocacy of the association’s legislative priorities and policy development.More from Eryn Hurley
-
Webinar
New Options to Combat Summer Hunger: What Counties Need to Know
Sep. 21, 2023 , 1:00 pmSummer hunger impacts too many children when they lose access to nutritious school meals. -
Reports & Toolkits
Legislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
This toolkit provides an overview of the county role in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), federal policy priorities for ensuring SNAP is effectively serving county residents and the current legislative and administrative outlook for program reforms. -
County News
‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’
“It’s not that hard to treat,” Pinsky said of the mental health crisis. “We just need the resources, we need the beds, we need the psychiatrists.” -
County News
Two-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreat
Clark County, Nevada youths now have access to a new 4-H camp in neighboring Lincoln County, which will retain jobs it would have lost when a corporate retreat center closed. -
County News
County’s mobile market closes the grocery desert gap
Gwinnett County, Ga. teamed up with a food bank to create a mobile community market to alleviate food insecurity, which had increased during the pandemic. -
County News
Collaboration helps Dallas County, Texas reduce homelessness
Dallas County, which has the largest population of people experiencing homelessness in Texas, is working with local governments and non-profits to combat the crisis through the R.E.A.L. Time Rehousing program.
-
Basic page
Human Services & Education Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary, secondary and post-secondary education. Policy Platform & Resolutions 2022-2023 2022 NACo Legislative Prioritiespagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to children’s issues, foster care, public assistance and income support, services to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities, immigration policy, social services, and elementary,
Contact
-
Director of Government Affairs & Federal Fellowship Initiative(202) 942-4204
-
Legislative Director – Human Services & Education | Veterans & Military Services(202) 661-8843
Related Posts
-
County News‘Dr. Drew’ applauds progress in mental health care, but ‘still progress to be made’Aug. 24, 2023
-
County NewsTwo-county solution offers urban Nevada kids a rural retreatAug. 21, 2023
-
County NewsCounty’s mobile market closes the grocery desert gapAug. 21, 2023
Related Resources
-
Reports & ToolkitsLegislative Toolkit for Counties: Priorities for Strengthening the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Sep. 20, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Role in Food SystemsJul. 14, 2023
-
Reports & ToolkitsThe County Human Services and Education LandscapeJul. 7, 2023
More From
-
Legislative Analysis for Counties: The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023
This analysis includes funding highlights for key programs impacting counties.
Learn More