This week in immigration news – September 29, 2021

Biden administration proposes rule reinstating DACA 

While the Biden administration is attempting to reinstate DACA, immigrant rights advocates counter that a permanent solution is needed, not another program that involves deferred action.

DeSantis announces lawsuit against Biden administration over immigration policy

This week, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sued the Biden administration over “catch and release,” alleging that the Biden administration is illegally releasing undocumented migrants in Florida and costing the state millions of dollars.

Democrats pitch parliamentarian on immigration plan B

Senate Democrats are working on a proposal to pitch to Elizabeth MacDonough, the Senate parliamentarian, who previously rejected their original plan for providing a pathway to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants. Because Senate Democrats are attempting to pass immigration reform as part of the budget reconciliation process–a process that would allow them to pass legislation with zero Republican votes–the rules about what can be included are tied to federal spending.

It is important to note that Democrats can overrule the Senate parliamentarian’s decision, but in this case, Senators have cited a lack of support from their own members for doing so.

U.S. expels nearly 4,000 Haitians in 9 days as part of deportation blitz 

Hundreds of families with children were expelled by the Biden administration, which invoked former President Trump’s pandemic rules in order to expedite these deportations. Many of those deported haven’t lived in Haiti for years. Forty-four percent of those deported back to Haiti in the past 10 days are women and children.