President Biden has executed a flurry of executive orders during his first week in the White House. Many of the orders have been related to COVID-19 and economic relief related to the virus, while others have been used to undo many of the former administration’s decisions. One unsuccessful executive order has been Biden’s plan to issue a 100-day ban on deportations of undocumented immigrants – an order which was recently blocked by a federal judge. Still, a new survey shows nearly a majority of Americans favor a current moratorium on deportations in the country, especially during a continually difficult time related to the coronavirus.
A new survey from YouGov published on Jan. 28 showed 50 percent of all U.S. adults support a 100-day ban on immigrant deportations in the country. Just 30 percent said they oppose a ban on deportations, while roughly 21 percent said they’re still unsure. In terms of support, 32 percent said they strongly support it; contrasted with 21 percent of respondents who said they strongly oppose the ban.
Immigration advocates have long pushed Biden and his team on enacting progressive policies once taking office. The ultimate goal of many advocates is the path to citizenship for all 11 million undocumented immigrants in the country to begin the process of attaining legal citizenship without having to leave the country.
Biden promised in his campaign he’d enact a moratorium on deportations during his first days in office, and he’ll undoubtedly attempt to force the issue again once the 14-day restraining order imposed by the federal judge is lifted.