Immigration Update: President Biden Signs 3 New Executive Orders


February 2, 2021 has proven to be an exciting and productive day for United States immigration policy. Not only did the U.S. Senate confirm the first immigrant and the first Latino to be Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), but President Biden signed three executive orders targeted at improving immigration policy in this country.

Accordingly, in this article we will talk about the new DHS Secretary, and then give you a substantive summary of each of President Biden’s executive orders. The executive orders spell very good news for immigrants already in this country, and they are laser focused on rolling back some of the more harmful immigration policies of the past four years, like family separation.

If, after reading this article, you have more questions about recent immigration changes, then we invite you to contact us at Ashoori Law. Feel free to call us at +1-818-741-1117 or you may request a free consultation by clicking this link .

The First Immigrant to Serve as DHS Secretary

On February 2, 2021, Alejandro Mayorkas was officially sworn in as the new Secretary of Homeland Security. He now leads the third largest federal department in the United States, which includes the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Transportation Security Administration, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the United States Secret Service.

What is historic about Secretary Mayorkas’ confirmation is that he is the first Latino and the first immigrant to serve as DHS Secretary. He came to the United States as a child along with his sister and parents after fleeing Cuba in 1960. Thus, for the first time ever, the person making decisions on immigration policy on a daily basis is someone who understands firsthand what it is like to be a foreign-born immigrant in the U.S. That news can only be a source of comfort for the 40 million foreign-born immigrants currently living in the U.S.

Immigration Update- President Biden Signs 3 New Executive Orders

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

President Biden Signs 3 Executive Orders to Improve U.S. Immigration Policy

President Biden waited to make sure that his pick for DHS Secretary was confirmed by the Senate before he moved forward with his immigration initiatives. And, as soon as Secretary Mayorkas was confirmed, President Biden came out of the gate with three ambitious executive orders. Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration System

In this first executive order, titled Executive Order on Restoring Faith in Our Legal Immigration Systems and Strengthening Integration and Inclusion Efforts for New Americans , President Biden wanted to make clear that the U.S. immigration policy has three main pillars:

  1. To encourage full participation by immigrants in our civic life;
  2. To effectively and efficiently deliver immigration services; and
  3. To eliminate sources of fear and other barriers that prevent immigrants from accessing government services available to them.

It will come as no surprise to anyone that the previous administration’s policies and attitude towards immigration was hostile to immigrants and, in turn, caused great fear in those in the U.S. who were not citizens.

President Biden’s executive order, therefore, is a strong step forward in trying to ‘right the ship’ with regard to how immigrants are treated in this country. In fact, that intent is demonstrated by the fact that the executive order itself is titled “Restoring Faith” in our immigration system.

In order to restore faith and trust in the U.S. immigration system, President Biden’s executive order seeks to do many things, including:

2. Address the Causes of Migration in North and Central America

This second executive order, with the lengthy title Executive Order on 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 , acknowledges a fundamental tension with regard to the U.S. southern border.

The tension lies in the fact that immigrants from Central America often come to this country with little more than the clothes on their backs, fleeing instability, and with a desire to achieve the American Dream; but the U.S. has borders that need to be enforced according to law.

In addressing that tension, the Biden Administration explains that securing the border does not mean that the U.S. is permitted to ignore the humanity of those who seek to cross the border.

Accordingly, this executive order seeks to implement a “multi-pronged approach toward managing migration throughout North and Central America that reflects the Nation’s highest values.” The approach contemplates three main things:

  1. A strategy to address the causes of migration at the U.S. southern border;
  2. An expansion of lawful pathways for migration to the U.S.; and
  3. An improvement of the U.S. asylum system, “which has been badly damaged by policies enacted over the last 4 years.”

3. Fix the Humanitarian Crisis Created by the Trump Administration’s Family Separation Policy

The third executive order, titled Executive Order on the Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families , is directed at the “human tragedy” created by the previous administration’s policy of separating children from their parents at the U.S. southern border. In fact, the Biden Administration expressly “condemned” the previous administration’s use of immigration law to intentionally separate children from their parents at the border.

Thus, this executive order calls for the establishment of an interagency task force to reunify families. The task force is charged with doing whatever is necessary, in accordance with U.S. law, to facilitate the reunification of each child. Such actions could include the use of parole, or the issuance of visas or other immigration benefits. Also, the executive order contemplates the provision of psychological support when necessary.

Conclusion

There has been a lot of activity on the immigration front. With three executive orders signed by President Biden, his Administration will improve the legal immigration and naturalization processes, will identify the issues of migration at the southern border, and will assemble a task force to reunify families. All of those will be positive developments in U.S. immigration policy.

It is unfortunate that certain executive orders from 2020, in which the previous administration suspended the issuance of certain visas, were not revoked by the Biden Administration on February 2, 2021. That said, there is still a chance that they still may be revoked, and those 2020 executive orders will expire on March 31, 2021 anyway. At Ashoori Law, we will continue to monitor the situation with those 2020 executive orders.

My name is Michael Ashoori and I'm a U.S. immigration lawyer and the founder of Ashoori Law. As an immigration lawyer, I help families, professionals, investors, and entrepreneurs get visas, green cards, and citizenship to the United States. If you have any questions, feel free to request a free consultation by clicking this link .

Share this post.

Based on 730 reviews 1725598811

I've had the pleasure of working with Michael Ashoori and their team at Ashoori Law, and I must say, it's been an exceptional experience! The entire office is warm, welcoming, and truly understands . the complexities of immigration. They've made me feel like family, taking the time to explain every step of the process and addressing all my concerns. Their expertise, compassion, and dedication have made a daunting process feel manageable.I'm grateful for their support and highly recommend them to anyone seeking immigration legal services. read more

1725304270

I would like to share my current experience with Antonio regarding E2 application. He is very knowledgeable, articulate and responsive manager. He is always willing to help with whatever questions . you have regarding your case. And top of that He is very humble, listen you, and talk with very respectful manner. Thank you Antonio. read more

1725062998

It is really wonderful to work with the Ashoori Law. Experienced, friendly and most humble lawyers I have ever seen before. They took care of my entire process with an ease. I strongly recommend . Ashoori Law for immigration services. Above and beyond my expectations i am really happy that i choose the best Firm in California. Thank you Ashoori Law. read more

1724902934 Amazing guidance and support 1724868204

I would Highly recommend Ashoori Law, unbelievable professional service, very understanding and extremely competent. They help you through the E2 business Visa process from start to finish. Thank you . Team!! read more

1724705899

Ashoori law, is one of the best immigration law firms I’ve ever been to. They supported and guided me through everything! The whole nine yard. This team is very well spoken which makes your section . of the process very simple to follow. They answered all my questions with the upmost important and respect, because of Ashoori Law, my family is once whole again but now forever, my support is always with me. I would and will always recommend Ashoori law hands down. Thank you so much team for every part you played in. read more

1724344560

It Was excellent decision to hire this law firm for my e2 visa . It was smooth and efficiently done with precision. I got approved my visa within time frame : happy to recommend them 👍

1724262842 Ashoori is trust as you can trust and staff is very helpful!Appreciated 🙏 Alexander S. 1724203037

Overall - an exceptional experience, detail orientated, professional and always respectful! Was a pleasure to work with the firm.

Leonardo Cuenca Campos M. 1723726897

I had an excellent experience working with Ashoori Law for my work visa process. They demonstrated exceptional expertise and professionalism, guiding me through every step with clarity and . confidence. Whenever I had questions or needed assistance, they were always prompt and responsive, making the entire process much smoother than I anticipated. Thanks to their diligent work, my visa was approved without any issues. I also highly recommend Lorianne Cercenia to anyone seeking reliable and top-notch immigration legal services! read more

1723661430

Outstanding Legal Representation: Highly RecommendI had the privilege of working with from recently, and I can confidently say that their expertise and dedication made a . significant difference in my case. From the initial consultation to the final resolution, [Attorney's Name] exhibited a thorough understanding of the law and a strategic approach that was both meticulous and effective.What stood out most was ability to explain complex legal matters in a clear and concise manner, ensuring I was informed and involved throughout the entire process. Their professionalism and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident in every interaction. [He/She/They] navigated the complexities of my case with skill and precision, ultimately securing a favorable result that exceeded my expectations.Moreover, and the team at [ASHOORI LAW] provided exceptional support, promptly addressing any concerns or questions I had along the way. Their responsiveness and attention to detail gave me confidence and peace of mind during what could have been a very stressful time.I would highly recommend FARAH.ABBAS to anyone seeking legal representation. Their integrity, expertise, and dedication to their clients make them a standout in their field. Thank you, [Attorney's Name], for your outstanding service and for achieving such a positive outcome for me. read more

1723235141

The service provided was exceptional, highly personalized, and delivered promptly. It effectively transformed a potentially stressful and intricate process into a seamless experience. The team's . proficiency is truly commendable. I encourage the continuation of such exceptional work, Michael. Highly recommended without any reservations! read more

1723233633 Supersonic onboarding experience. Thanks Jeremy. you are sensational. 1723052096

The Ashoori Law team was amazing throughout my E2 visa process. I was assigned to work with the fantastic attorney, Pardeep. My experience with him was wonderful - he was caring, detail-oriented, and . even had a great sense of humor. Thank you for your exceptional service! read more

1723005669

Ashoori Law has been a great partner throughout our immigration process. They have made this whole experience very easy and have answered all of our questions along the way. We highly recommend . Ashoori Law and can not thank them enough!! read more

1722728048

I have no words to say thanks. Entire team each and every person is excellent very helpfull treat me like family i always recommend them they helped me in very very critical issue out of way they . helped me i want to thanks specially sir jesser he always respond promptly finally we won sir thanks to everyone read more

1722534700

Highly recommend this firm. I have interacted with Ehsan Mehri, an absolutely wonderful person who is always willing to help with all your US immigration needs. This firm is not only looking for your . money but are readily available to assist even without compensation. They are a great general resource for all things immigration, and an excellent choice if you decide to retain their services! read more

1722466114 Ashoori Law is the best. I’m really recommending everyone. 1721978093

Hands down, Ashoori Law is a firm that you can rely on. As a greencard holder working abroad, It can be quite a struggle to do your own legwork in applying for a travel document especially in these . trying times with the pandemic. I tried looking up other lawfirms that could help me but found that they seemed more interested to engage me in a chargeable phone consultation rather than answer my questions. Then I came across Ashoori's Youtube channel with videos providing valuable information and updates on immigration laws and that's when I decided to look them up on Facebook to learn more about them. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that you can actually book a free phone consultation with them and so I did. They will explain everything clearly and answer all your questions so that you can decide for yourself and weigh out if your situation calls for their service. Sign up was so simple and the guidance with the documentations were so easy to follow. A sharp contrast to the time when I did my own filing, where I had to book an appointment with a USCIS field office only to find that they don't accept applications there. I've had to do the runs to review the tediously worded process from the USCIS website, print documents, mail them and hope that it gets through without hitting a snag (it did). With Ashoori Law, I definitely felt represented and truly was by a professional team that kept me posted and were very responsive to my questions. I've had a recent change of address which they quickly filed for me at no extra cost. All I had to do was wait until my travel document was granted which I received in the mail via express courier. Great value for professional services from beginning to end. Easy to engage with. A big thanks to the Ashoori team for getting me through this process free of stress. Folks, save yourself from pain. Get representation from Ashoori Law! read more

sivarama dheeraj V. 1721936037

I was married to a US citizen and recently had the pleasure of working with Ashoori immigration law firm and impressed with their services , They took time to understand my specific situation and . provided clear advice to my needs. This firm also displayed excellent professionalism until I got my EAD and PR. Thanks to Jeser Romero read more

1721929037

My experience with Ashoori Law has been such a great experience. They were very helpful throughout the whole process. Provided clarification for each thing that questions about.I want to give a . shotout to whole team that has helped us Michael Ashoori and his hard working associates we greatly appreciate your assistance. I would recommend my family and friends to get assistance from Ashoori Law. read more

1721916057

My E-2 visa was approved on the first attempt after working with Ashoori Law for a few months (time to get the funds together, transferred, invested. ). All in all, a great experience.

1721894741

I got my EB-1B application created and filed by Ashoori Law. They were very effective in helping me create my I-140 packet. They have a robust lawyer team with different lawyers specializing in . handling different parts of the application. They also helped me file my I-485 adjustment of status packet. I am glad I took their service as it helped my get my green card in a speedy and effective manner. I really appreciate their quick and timely response and assistance every time. Highly recommend. read more

mehreen “Maha” A. 1721255326

Great experience highly recommended. They all are very helpfull on each and every step. I really trust them . Thanks Ashoori law. Thanks jeser he is angel for me thanks to mathew thanks to michael . ashoori all team they were helpful .iam greened know just wanted to see on my hand. Thanks whole team for helping me in my tough journey.very helpful team i have no words to thanks them finally i can see my mother back to my country. read more

1721248990

I was on the verge of giving up on getting my US documents renewed after being turned down over a small technicality. Ashoori Law put in the work and secured all that I needed. I’m proud to say that . I received my renewal documents in record time without any issues. Other family members were also happy and achieved success by going through Ashoori Law as their trusted immigration lawyers. Thank you team Ashoori! read more