President Joe Biden signed a proclamation on January 20, his first day in office, declaring that “no more American taxpayer dollars [shall] be diverted to construct a border wall,” ending his predecessor’s plans to spend billions of dollars appropriated for the military on this wall.
The same day, then-acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske issued a memorandum that curtailed the Trump administration’s “remain in Mexico” policy. That policy forced tens of thousands of migrants who seek asylum in the United States to wait in Mexico while their cases were being processed (the Trump administration stopped processing these cases last March, citing the Covid-19 pandemic).
Supreme Court Cancels Arguments in Immigration Cases at Biden Administration’s Request
The Supreme Court granted the Biden administration’s request on Feb. 3 to cancel upcoming oral arguments over two legal challenges to former President Donald Trump’s signature immigration-related policies.
The cases, now held in abeyance pending possible settlement discussions, dealt with the construction of a wall on the nation’s southern border to stem the flow of illegal aliens, and Trump’s policy requiring asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico while their claims are adjudicated. The Supreme Court had only agreed to hear the cases on Oct. 19, 2020, after the Trump administration sought a review of lower court decisions. Trump’s term in office ended Jan. 20.
As prepared for delivery.
1. Madame President, members of the Executive Board, colleagues, and friends. It is my great pleasure to join you today for this first regular session of the UNDP/UNFPA/UNOPS Executive Board for 2021.
2. Allow me to begin by congratulating Her Excellency Ms. Lachezara Stoeva, the Permanent Representative of Bulgaria, on her election as the President of the Board, and welcoming our new Bureau members for 2021.
3. I would like to express my gratitude to the outgoing Bureau members. In particular, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks to the outgoing President, His Excellency Mr. Walton Webson, Permanent Representative of Antigua and Barbuda, for his unwavering leadership and guidance.