This week, we read about the parliamentarian rejecting the Democrats’ infrastructure bill and how the Biden administration is temporarily halting immigrant family detention.
Parliamentarian rejecting immigration offer ‘deeply disappointing’
The Senate parliamentarian rejected the most recent reform plan from the Democrats. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said this was deeply disappointing. The most recent version of the ‘Build Back Better’ bill included substantial immigration provisions.
President Biden and his administration disagree with the parliamentarian’s decision. The parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, said that immigration reform does not meet certain rules for this type of bill.
Psaki and the Biden administration were disappointed by the decision. However, they are not suggesting to ‘sidestep’ MacDonough’s decision.
“Ultimately, it’s time for Congress to stop kicking the can down the road and finally provide certainty and stability to these groups and make other badly needed reforms to our outdated immigration system,” said Jen Psaki, White House press secretary.
This is the third plan MacDonough has rejected from the Democrats on immigration reform.
Biden administration halts immigrant family detention for now
The Biden Administration has recently announced that it has converted its three family migrant detention centers into facilities for single adults, putting an apparent end to the detention of parents with children.
The Administration appears to be shifting away from detention and moving towards less harsh alternatives such as ankle monitors and home visits to track released immigrants. USCIS’s Alternatives to Detention program has grown significantly over the last two years.
This is part of ICE’s new stated goal to address migration while “supporting a system of border management that is orderly, safe and humane.” (LA Times)
