President Biden Establishes Task Force to Reunite Children Separated from Families at the U.S. Mexico Border

Happy Thursday! We are back with a brand-new blog post. Today, we continue discussing President Biden’s recent executive actions on immigration. This time we are breaking down Executive Order entitled, “the Establishment of the Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families.”

So, what exactly does this executive order mean for you and your family?

This new executive order will prioritize the reunification of children who have been separated from their family members at the United States/Mexico border by establishing an Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families.

The heads of several agencies including the Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of State, and others will take part in the Task Force and perform the following functions:

Identify all children who have been separated from their families at the border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021
Facilitate and enable the reunification of each identified children with their families by means of (1) recommendations to heads of relevant agencies (2) recommendations regarding the exercise of parole under 212(d)(5)(A) of the INA or issuance of visas or other immigration benefits (3) recommendations regarding additional services and support to separated children and their families such as trauma and mental health services and (4) recommendations regarding reunification of additional family members of children who were separated such as siblings where compelling humanitarian interests exist

The Task Force will also have the power to make recommendations to the President to take any actions within his power to reunite children with their families.

Decisions made by the Task Force will be made in consultation with the children, their families, representatives, and other stakeholders, taking into consideration their preferences, as well as parental rights and the best interests of the child.

Within 120 days the Task Force must provide a progress report to the President and submit interim progress reports every 60 days thereafter. Once the Task Force has completed its objective, it must submit a final report to the President and make recommendations to prevent policies and practices that separate families at the border.

Who will fund the Task Force?

The Department of Homeland Security will be in charge of providing funding and administrative support for the Task Force to be able to carry out its orders. Additional agencies may also be called upon to provide resources for the Task Force as needed.

How will these objectives be carried out?

The Task Force will be coordinating with all relevant agencies, stakeholders, domestic and international non-governmental organizations, and representatives of children and their families to ensure effective reunification.

In meeting its policy goals, President Biden has also made the decision to immediately revoke Executive Order 13841 signed by former President Trump on June 20, 2018, which called upon the simultaneous detention of alien families.

Want more immigration updates? Continue to check our blog for more developments in the world of immigration.

Questions? If you would like to schedule a consultation, please text 619-569-1768 or call 619-819-9204.

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