Biden's immigration executive orders don't do much. That could be by design.
President Biden is set to sign another set of immigration-related executive orders on Tuesday — but they don't exactly do much.
While the actual wording of the orders has yet to be revealed, both a White House fact sheet and White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki indicated they have more to do with reviewing the Trump administration's immigration policies than actually undoing them. The vague orders drew criticism from advocates who want Biden to reunite families split under the zero tolerance policy and end the so-called Remain in Mexico policy — things he will only be committing to looking into on Tuesday.
But as The Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell theorized, Biden's hedging could be his way of avoiding court challenges to heavy-handed orders.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Nicholas Bagley, an administrative law expert and professor at the University of Michigan, meanwhile argued Biden could be enacting a legal strategy. But seeing as both Biden's and former President Donald Trump's executive orders were often vague, it's more likely this is Biden's way to build "trust" among those invested in his policy goals.
Also on Tuesday, the Senate confirmed Alejandro Mayorkas to head the Department of Homeland Security. Mayorkas will be the first immigrant to head the department that oversees the U.S. immigration system.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Indonesia eyes the world stage
Under The Radar Joining Brics could give the Southeast Asian nation new leverage on the world stage
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Can Republicans navigate their narrow House majority?
In the Spotlight This isn't the first time that a party has had no margin for error
By David Faris Published
-
How does Inauguration Day work?
The Explainer Part Constitution, part tradition
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine captures first North Korean soldiers
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted videos of the men captured in Russia's Kursk region
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Lebanon selects president after 2-year impasse
Speed Read The country's parliament elected Gen. Joseph Aoun as its next leader
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US accuses Sudan rebels of genocide, sanctions chief
Speed Read Sudan has been engaged in a bloody civil war that erupted in 2023
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine goes on offense in Russia's Kursk region
Speed Read A top adviser to President Zelenskyy said "the Russians are getting what they deserve"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cuts off Russian gas pipeline to Europe
Speed Read Ukraine has halted the transport of Russian gas to Europe after a key deal with Moscow expired
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Was Jimmy Carter America's best ex-president?
Today's Big Question Carter's presidency was marred by the Iran hostage crisis, but his work in the decades after leaving office won him global acclaim
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Top Russian general killed in Moscow blast
Speed Read A remote-triggered bomb killed Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of Russia's Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published