Controversy Surrounding President Biden’s 100 Day Deportation Ban

Overview

One of President Joe Biden’s signature campaign promises was the implementation of a temporary 100 day deportation ban. President Biden’s deportation ban is designed to allow the government ample to time to reassess immigration enforcement approaches, and reverse President Trump’s hardline immigration policies. President Biden’s temporary ban was widely praised by advocates of immigration reform. Undocumented migrants who have entered or lived in the United States throughout the past four years have been subject to extreme deportation attempts, and this 100 day grace period would provide substantial relief.

Biden’s deportation ban efforts were abruptly halted this past Tuesday by a federal Texas Judge. Judge Drew Tipton blocked the advancement of the 100-day proposal. This came after Judge Tipton had already issued an order to stop the proposal from being enforced.

Judge Tipton argued that the pause on deportation would cause financial harm to the state of Texas. He argues that the proposition is arbitrary. Tipton’s ruling in Texas has halted the proposition across the entire country, and has been criticized by many activists who describe Tipton’s decision as

“An attempt to deprive the Biden administration of a meaningful opportunity to review and assess immigration enforcement after years of living under lawless Trump Policies.” – Politico

It is necessary to address the recent statement made by President Biden and ICE concerning deportation. Last week, the administration stated that they would not cease to deport and try immigrants that pose a threat to national security, border security, or present a public safety risk. During the 100-day period deportation pause, the enforcement of public safety would not cease. What would stop is the active seeking of “non target” undocumented migrants, who are densely populated in border cities like El Paso.

Biden’s memorandum also revoked many of Trump’s previous immigration policies, including a policy that required immigration service to put those whose humanitarian visas were denied directly into removal proceedings without further review. If passed, Biden’s memorandum will not only provide a 100 day window for comprehensive reviewal and reform, but also will greatly aid the United States current humanitarian crisis on the Southern Border. During the 100-day immigration halt, Biden’s administration would work extremely close with Southern Border control in order to assess what needs to be changed on the border. These changes would likely not be implemented during the 100 day period, but there is hope that by the end of the time allotment, there will be a clear cut, achievable, plan of action.

Benefits of Biden’s 100 Day Deportation Halt

The most evident benefit of President Biden’s deportation halt is the fact that it gives ample time to facilitate change in terms of immigration policies. A 100 day window sets a deadline for comprehensive reform, which can in turn result in concrete change in response to Trump’s hardline approaches.

One of the most criticized factors of former President Trump’s immigration policies was the amount of subjectivity and confusion that occurred across the border. This was due in large part to a lack of formal policy and overly ambitious immigration regulation. An attempt by the Biden administration to reverse the notoriously strict policies of the Trump administration, while still actively deporting “non target” migrants could cause much more confusion on the border. Border agents will be asked in the coming year to make drastic shifts in how they detain migrants, and this transition will take time. Border agents may struggle to perform their typical duties in wake of a drastically new administration.

Drawbacks of Biden’s proposed Memorandum

For some, a temporary halt in deportation proceedings could be seen as dangerous to the American people. Opponents cite the fact that all immigrants are “Non target”, until they aren’t. Deportation of all undocumented migrants is seen as the best way to promote national security. A 100 day deportation ban does not usually follow an executive switch, and some argue that a relatively seamless policy transition can occur without a halt to deporation.

Texas Judge Drew Tipton is fearful that a halt in deportation could prove fiscally harmful for the country. Many counter Tipton’s claims, however, citing that his ban of Biden’s plan is a temporary attempt to maintain Trump’s hardline immigration policies.

My Thoughts On Biden’s Deportation Memorandum

Overall, I think President Biden’s immigration halt is a great idea and will eventually be put into practice. Judge Tipton has stalled his approval of the plan for the past month, and it will be hard for him to continuously be able to justify his denial of the proposal on the basis of fiscal harm. I view the temporary halting of deportation as an extremely practical step in terms of setting a timetable for change, and making such drastic reform run smoothly.

I think President Biden’s 100 day memorandum will be the first step in altering the way in which the United States government pursues undocumented migrants. Biden’s administration will be looking for ways decrease resources allocated to the active deportation of non-target migrants. Biden’s current philosophy regarding immigration control clashes harshly with that of Trump’s, and will look to make progressive attempts in terms of providing immigrants and home in the US. President Joe Biden’s administration seems to be ready to take on of one of the most drastic overhauls of the United States immigration system in recent history.

Predictions About Biden’s Comprehensive Plan Following 100 Day Deportation Ban

I predict that President Biden’s 100 Day deportation ban will prove pivotal in terms of altering the United States immigration approach. Throughout the 100 day period, the administration will look closely at the fiscal consequences of decreased immigration, as well as unemployment and crime rates in Southern migrant cities. I predict that a very small correlation will exist between illegal immigration of nontarget migrants, making it challenging for the United States to justify a continued pouring out of resources into active deportation efforts. I predict that what is found during this 100 day period will provide evidence that President Biden will lean on in order to justify many of his drastic responses to former President Trump.

Works Cited

Rodriguez, Sabrina. “Federal Judge Deals Biden Another Blow on 100-Day Deportation Ban.” POLITICO, 24 Feb. 2021, www.politico.com/news/2021/02/24/texas-judge-biden-deportation-ban-471315.

The Associated Press. “Judge Bans Enforcement Of Biden’s 100-Day Deportation Pause.” NPR, NPR, 24 Feb. 2021, www.npr.org/2021/02/24/970914755/judge-bans-enforcement-of-bidens-100-day-deportation-pause.