President Joe Biden is set to create a “family reunification task force” in a series of executive orders on immigration Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki announced Friday.
Biden’s White House had initial plans to release the orders Friday, but the schedule was delayed thanks to the Republican filibuster against Biden Homeland Security Secretary nominee Alejandro Mayorkas in the Senate. The Senate broke the filibuster Friday and Mayorkas is now scheduled for a vote Monday.
Psaki said at a Friday press briefing that Biden is “personally committed” to the creation of the task force, which Mayorkas will lead if confirmed. (RELATED: ‘Dead On Arrival’: Sen. Cotton Says Biden Immigration Bill Too ‘Far To The Left,’ Won’t Become Law)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 01: Hundreds of immigrant rights advocates and others participate in rally and and demonstration at the Federal Building in lower Manhattan against the Trump administration’s policy that enables federal agents to take migrant children away from their parents at the border on June 1, 2018 in New York, United States.. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
The separation of families at the U.S. border was among Democrats’ top criticisms of President Donald Trump’s administration. Biden’s Department of Justice rescinded Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy Tuesday that led to the separations.
Biden has also proposed a larger immigration package that came under swift fire from Republicans. The order loosens immigration restrictions without providing any funding for additional border security.
The bill is likely to face a rocky future with Republicans and Democrats each holding 50 seats in the Senate.
“Total amnesty, no regard for the health or security of Americans, and zero enforcement,” Republican Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton tweeted Monday. “Let’s be clear: Joe Biden is prioritizing amnesty ahead of the pandemic or getting Americans back to work. We can’t let him get away with it.”
Joe Biden’s bill would provide amnesty & citizenship for millions of illegal aliens, allowing them to jump ahead of law-abiding immigrants who followed the rules. There are already thousands more rushing toward our southern border to take advantage of Joe Biden’s amnesty plan.
— Tom Cotton (@SenTomCotton) January 18, 2021