RALEIGH — The Biden administration has paused deportations for 100 days for “certain non-citizens” starting January 22. In a release, the White House said the pause is to “ensure we have a fair and effective immigration enforcement system focused on protecting national security, border security, and public safety.”
Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary David Pekoske signed a memorandum Thursday directing his department to review and reset enforcement policies and set interim policies for civil enforcement.
The pause comes as thousands of migrants are moving through Central America and Mexico saying they intend to enter the U.S. along the southern border. The Biden administration says the pause in deportations will allow DHS to ensure that its resources are dedicated to responding to the “immediate operational challenges at the southwest border in the midst of the most serious global public health crisis in a century.”
The White House said that DHS will continue to enforce immigration laws.
