In February of 2021, President Biden signed an executive order establishing a Task Force for family reunification. In response to the Zero-Tolerance Policy of the previous administration, and the separation of children from their parents, the Task Force will seek to reunify the children separated at the border.
The Task Force will identify all of the children who were separated from their parents at the United States-Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021. After identifying all of the children, the Task Force will try unifying the children with their parents. The Task Force is authorized with recommendations into whether to provide temporary parole, issue visas or other immigration benefits to achieve reunification. The Task Force will also recommend whether the children should be provided with mental health and trauma services. Lastly, the Task Force will recommend whether siblings should be reunified in addition to children being reunified with their parents.
The Task Force shall consist of:
- the Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall serve as Chair;
- the Secretary of State, who shall serve as a Vice Chair;
- the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall serve as a Vice Chair;
- the Attorney General;
- additional officers or employees of the Departments of State, Justice, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, as the head of each respective department may designate; and
- other officers or employees of executive departments and agencies (agencies) as the Chair or Vice Chairs may invite to participate, with the concurrence of the head of the agency concerned.
If you have any questions regarding this post, please do not hesitate to contact our Sacramento immigration lawyer.