President Elect Joe Biden’s Immigration Plans

16 May 2020

Joe Biden has been elected president so what can we expect to see regarding immigration?

As Biden put it, “Trump has waged an unrelenting assault on our values and our history as a nation of immigrants.”

The past four years have been a difficult time for those wishing to work or live in the U.S. and for businesses seeking foreign workers. Hopefully, Biden will reverse many of the procedural and regulatory obstacles the Trump administration placed on immigration.

Based on Biden’s speeches and policy ideas, we should expect a drastic change in the immigration system. It is impossible to know how long that change will take or where the impact will be felt first.

Here are some of the key points made by Biden regarding his goals on immigration:

1. Reverse many of the obstacles placed by the Trump administration on humanitarian immigration – such as the separating children policy, asylum and credible fear interviews, prolonged detention, Temporary Protected Status, etc.
2. Reverse the Public Charge Rule as implemented.
3. Modernize the immigration system through sensible immigration reform, including:
   • Changing the way families are counted toward the immigrant visa quota
   • Give industries opportunities to demonstrate a clear need for foreign workers to prioritize visas for those industries
   • Allow cities and counties to petition for additional visas for their community based on need

In general, Biden is taking a middle ground on immigration. He understands the importance of immigrants to the United States, but is cautious on the impact immigration has on the work force.