Gage Skidmore/Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Nearly a week after it was supposed to go into effect, President Joe Biden s 100-day deportation moratorium is at a standstill thanks to a federal judge in Texas barred the order from taking hold for two weeks. Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich followed suit with his own letter opposing it.
In the letter sent to Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske, Brnovich said the moratorium violated the Sanctuary for Americans First Enactment Agreement, or SAFE, an agreement
Arizona, Texas and other states signed with DHS during Donald Trump s last days in office.
Under SAFE, states would be allowed longer periods to consider and provide input for federal policy changes, among other allowances. In his letter, Brnovich argues the 100-day moratorium did not comply because it went into effect immediately. He also claims the freeze could be extended if left unchallenged.
Since the first shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Arizona last month, more than 300,000 shots have gone into the arms of residents. Counties are gradually making the vaccine available to more people as they expand access to additional groups. Tony Paniagua reported on those efforts, including delays some people have experienced when trying to sign up because of high demand.
This week the Arizona Department of Health Services opened its second COVID-19 vaccine distribution site at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. The first site at Glendale’s State Farm Stadium is also located in Maricopa County. ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ discussed the state’s role in getting people vaccinated, beginning with an update on current trends.