DHS to pause some deportations during Biden's first 100 days to review policies

Phil Helsel

The Biden administration late Wednesday ordered a pause on some deportations for 100 days starting Friday as it reviews enforcement policies.

Acting Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske directed a review of immigration enforcement practices and policies.

"For 100 days, starting January 22, 2021, DHS will pause removals for certain noncitizens ordered deported to ensure we have a fair and effective immigration enforcement system focused on protecting national security, border security, and public safety," a statement reads.

The move comes on the first day of President Joe Biden's administration. Biden was sworn in as the nation's 46th president earlier Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump, who left for Florida before the inauguration ceremony, was criticized for deportations and hard-line policies regarding immigration and border issues and a widely condemned "zero tolerance" policy that separated thousands of children from their families.

Biden on Wednesday revoked one of Trump's earliest executive orders that essentially made it a policy to act on anyone in the country illegally and opposed exemptions.

The new president has pledged to "restore sensible enforcement priorities," and said that targeting those who have lived and worked in the U.S. for decades is counterproductive.

Also Wednesday, Biden signed executive orders repealing Trump's restrictions on travel from several Muslim-majority countries and stopping construction of the Southern border wall.

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