What Did Joe Biden Do Today?
September 30, 2024 Recap
President Biden amended the original Proclamation 10773, issued on June 3, 2024, to manage the influx of noncitizens crossing the U.S. southern border during periods of high migration. Proclamation 10773 sought to suspend or limit the entry of certain noncitizens and directed the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Attorney General to issue necessary regulations and procedures, including limitations on asylum eligibility for those entering the United States irregularly. These measures, along with an interim final rule (IFR) on asylum eligibility, have led to a significant reduction in border crossings, with encounters dropping by 59% as of the end of the previous calendar month compared to the period before the IFR and Proclamation 10773 took effect. July and August of 2024 marked the lowest number of border encounters since September 2020.
The proclamation also highlights specific outcomes from the enforcement of these measures. Notably, the Department of Homeland Security has increased the percentage of noncitizens removed through expedited removal and reduced the number of noncitizens released pending removal proceedings by 52%. Over 119,000 individuals have been removed or returned to over 140 countries since the measures took effect.
However, two key issues were identified based on feedback and experience gained since the issuance of the IFR and Proclamation 10773. First, the criteria for discontinuing the suspension and limitation on entry were based on short-term reductions in border encounters, which could allow the restrictions to be lifted prematurely. To address this, the amendment extends the requirement to 28 consecutive days of a seven-day rolling average of fewer than 1,500 encounters before lifting the suspension, ensuring that reductions in crossings are sustained before changes are made.
Second, the original proclamation excluded unaccompanied children from non-contiguous countries from being counted in the number of border encounters. However, the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice determined this exclusion was inaccurate, as processing these children requires significant resources. To provide a more accurate picture of system capacity and ensure better migration management at the southern border, the amendment now includes unaccompanied children from both contiguous and non-contiguous countries in calculating total encounters. Importantly, these children remain exempt from the suspension and limitation on entry.
The proclamation also updates other technical provisions related to the enforcement of these measures. It allows for the application of Proclamation 10773’s rules even if legal challenges arise. If court rulings invalidate certain aspects of the amendments, the original provisions of Proclamation 10773 will remain in effect, maintaining border security measures to the greatest extent possible.
The proclamation aims to refine the conditions under which border restrictions can be lifted and provide a more accurate assessment of border activity by including all unaccompanied children in the encounter count. These changes are designed to enhance the effectiveness of U.S. border management in the face of historic migration levels while continuing to ensure the fair treatment of migrants, particularly vulnerable populations like children.
Leadership and Communication: President Biden and Vice President Harris are in constant communication with state and local officials, receiving regular briefings. Both are actively engaging with governors and mayors to coordinate support.
On-the-Ground Response: Over 3,500 federal personnel, including FEMA and Urban Search and Rescue teams, are deployed for rescue and recovery efforts, with significant rescue missions underway. Additional personnel and resources, such as high-water trucks and helicopters, are being used to deliver supplies and assist with search and rescue operations.
Disaster Declarations and Financial Assistance: President Biden approved major disaster declarations for Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as emergency declarations for several other states. FEMA offers financial assistance to individuals with essential needs and storm-related damages.
Power Restoration: More than 50,000 personnel are working to restore power, and significant progress has been made. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers supports power restoration with generators and other assets.
Additional Support Efforts: Federal agencies like FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Health and Human Services are actively involved in providing medical care, search and rescue, debris removal, and essential services.
In addition, the government is preparing for another potential storm in the Caribbean and is urging Gulf Coast residents to remain alert.
In his briefing on Hurricane Helene’s response and recovery efforts, President Biden highlighted the devastation caused by the storm and expressed condolences to the families of those who died or are missing. He emphasized the administration's commitment to supporting recovery efforts, which will be extensive and long-term. Federal teams have been deployed for search and rescue, debris removal, power restoration, and re-establishing communication. Thousands of federal personnel are on the ground, and FEMA is assisting in registering people for disaster relief.
Governor Cooper of North Carolina also acknowledged the resources provided and the ongoing challenges, such as water system failures and power outages. Biden plans to visit North Carolina to assess the damage, with future trips to Georgia and Florida. He rejected Donald Trump's accusations that the administration was ignoring the crisis, calling them false and harmful. Biden stressed the difficulties in accessing affected areas due to destroyed roads and infrastructure and called for sustained assistance for ongoing recovery, which he attributed to climate change.
During a visit to FEMA Headquarters in Washington DC, Vice President Kamala Harris expressed gratitude to those working on the ground. She emphasized the government's commitment to responding to the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. She has received regular updates and spoken with governors and local officials, assuring them that the federal government will do everything possible to support communities during recovery. The hurricane has caused widespread destruction across several states, leaving millions without power, thousands homeless, and hundreds missing. Nearly 100 people have been confirmed dead, and recovery efforts are ongoing with over 3,300 federal personnel deployed. Harris reiterated the importance of prioritizing emergency response. He emphasized the nation's unity during moments of hardship, praising the efforts of first responders and communities to help one another. She reaffirmed the government's long-term commitment to helping affected areas recover and rebuild.
President Biden highlighted the significant decreases in homicide and violent crime rates in 2024, with homicides down by 22.7% and violent crime dropping by 10.3%, marking the lowest rates since 1969. He contrasted this with the crime increases under the previous administration and attributed the turnaround to policies like the American Rescue Plan, which directed over $15 billion in public safety funding. Additionally, Biden pointed to his administration's efforts in gun violence prevention, including major legislation on background checks and gun trafficking and the establishment of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. He concluded by emphasizing the need for further actions, including additional police funding and gun safety reforms like banning assault weapons.
President Biden issued proclamations for October:
National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, 2024: President Biden emphasizes the importance of supporting survivors of domestic violence and holding perpetrators accountable.
National Arts and Humanities Month, 2024: This proclamation celebrates the role of arts and humanities in shaping American culture and democracy.
National Youth Substance Use Prevention Month, 2024: President Biden reaffirms his administration's commitment to preventing youth substance use, with a focus on the opioid and overdose epidemic.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2024: This proclamation highlights the importance of recognizing the contributions of disabled Americans to the economy and society.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, 2024: This proclamation stresses the importance of cybersecurity in safeguarding the nation's digital infrastructure.
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, 2024: President Biden’s proclamation calls attention to the impact of breast cancer on American families and honors the survivors and healthcare workers dedicated to the cause.
National Clean Energy Action Month, 2024: This proclamation focuses on the importance of clean energy in combating climate change and creating jobs.
In his remarks via teleconference to the NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference, President Biden emphasized his administration's commitment to labor unions, women in the workforce, and infrastructure development. He praised the role of unions in building the middle class, noting that when unions thrive, all Americans benefit. Biden highlighted his administration's achievements, such as creating 16 million jobs, increasing women's participation in manufacturing and construction, and narrowing the gender pay gap.
Biden contrasted his policies with those of his predecessor, particularly on infrastructure. He touted the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and significant investments in manufacturing, clean energy, and semiconductor industries, which have generated numerous high-paying jobs. He also stressed his administration’s focus on promoting union labor through executive orders and federal projects and supporting women’s economic security through initiatives like expanded childcare, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and apprenticeship programs for women.
In closing, Biden reaffirmed his pro-union stance and optimism about America's future, reiterating his belief in gender equality and the strength of the American workforce.
President Biden signed H.R. 7032, the "Congressional Budget Office Data Sharing Act," into law. The Act modifies the current provisions for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to obtain necessary information from the Executive Branch, allowing agencies to provide data with or without written agreements as long as confidentiality requirements are upheld. The President emphasized that this amendment does not change the established process for sharing sensitive or classified information between Congress and the Executive Branch. Agencies can still negotiate agreements with the CBO for information sharing, and Biden signed the bill based on the understanding that Congress agrees with this interpretation.
President Biden expressed immense pride and gratitude for the athletes in his remarks at an event celebrating the 2024 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic teams on the South Lawn of the White House. He celebrated their resilience, hard work, and the inspiration they provide to fellow Americans. Biden highlighted the importance of supporting U.S. athletes and acknowledged the sacrifices they and their families make. He noted the inclusion of distinctively American sports like flag football and lacrosse in future games and emphasized the power of sports to unite and empower. He closed by expressing optimism about America’s future and reaffirming the nation's ability to achieve anything when united.
President Biden issued a memorandum outlining the U.S. refugee admissions policy for Fiscal Year 2025. The key points include:
Refugee Cap: The U.S. will admit up to 125,000 refugees in FY 2025, a decision justified by humanitarian concerns and national interest.
Regional Allocations: The refugee admissions are divided among five regions with flexibility:
Africa: 30,000-50,000
East Asia: 10,000-20,000
Europe and Central Asia: 2,000-3,000
Latin America/Caribbean: 35,000-50,000
Near East/South Asia: 30,000-45,000
Transfer of Quotas: Unused refugee spots in one region can be transferred to another with notification to Congress.
Foreign Policy Interests: Refugee admissions are considered to contribute to U.S. foreign policy interests.
Country-Specific Refugee Designations: Certain persons within their countries, including individuals from Cuba, Eurasia, the Baltics, Iraq, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and others identified by U.S. embassies or authorized State Department partners, may be considered for refugee status.
This determination will be published in the Federal Register and is in line with the Immigration and Nationality Act.
President Biden issued a memorandum related to the Child Soldiers Prevention Act (CSPA) of 2008. It outlines a presidential determination and certification to waive certain prohibitions under section 404(a) of the CSPA, which restricts military assistance to countries that use child soldiers. Specifically, the president has partially waived these prohibitions for several countries, allowing for continued U.S. military education, training, peacekeeping assistance, and direct commercial sales (DCS) in relation to:
Cameroon, Libya, Somalia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, and the Central African Republic: These countries will continue to receive assistance despite the restrictions of the CSPA. The waiver includes various forms of military support, such as International Military Education and Training (IMET) and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO) assistance.
Russian Federation: The waiver solely applies to the issuance of DCS licenses related to the International Space Station.
The memorandum certifies that the governments of these countries are taking steps to address the issue of child soldiers. The Secretary of State is directed to submit this determination and certification to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.
President Biden issued a memorandum directing actions related to foreign governments’ compliance with anti-trafficking standards under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA). Key points include:
Sanctions for Noncompliance: The U.S. will withhold nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance from Burma, Iran, and other countries, including Belarus, Cuba, North Korea, and China, until they meet TVPA standards.
Multilateral Development Banks: The U.S. will oppose loans to several countries, including Belarus, Burma, and Russia, through international financial institutions unless they improve their anti-trafficking efforts.
Partial Waivers: Some countries, like Afghanistan, Cambodia, and South Sudan, will receive partial waivers on assistance restrictions due to national interest considerations.
Special Cases: Countries like Brunei, Djibouti, and Venezuela are noted where foreign assistance is considered beneficial to U.S. national interests despite their trafficking records.
The memorandum includes detailed instructions to U.S. agencies on enforcing these policies.
The President signed into law:
S. 3764, the “United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Reauthorization Act of 2024,” which extends and authorizes annual appropriations for the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom through fiscal year 2026.
In her remarks at a reception hosted by U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Ken Salazar, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden emphasized the close relationship between the United States and Mexico, highlighting shared culture and diplomacy as key aspects of their partnership. She acknowledged the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and the U.S. government's efforts to respond.
Quoting Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros, the First Lady praised the attendees for embodying the light and music of their nations. She admired the vibrant cultural performances and thanked the embassy staff for their work in strengthening U.S.-Mexico relations.
Dr. Biden also acknowledged the historic moment of Mexico's first woman president, Dr. Claudia Sheinbaum, and expressed hope for continued collaboration between the two nations under her leadership. She conveyed optimism about building a prosperous, safe, and democratic region through this ongoing partnership.
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a press briefing, starting with the Biden-Harris administration's response to Hurricane Helen. The administration is focused on providing federal assistance to states heavily impacted by the storm, including Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has been coordinating efforts on the ground and holding briefings with local officials. Both President Biden and Vice President Harris are actively overseeing the relief operations. FEMA has deployed search and rescue teams, power restoration crews, and medical responders to the affected regions. The administration is also expediting cash assistance to eligible households and setting up disaster recovery centers to help those in need.
Power outages remain a critical issue, with millions of people still without electricity. Efforts are underway to restore power, and the administration is working with private companies and utilizing Starlink receivers to re-establish communications in the most affected areas. President Biden has been in regular contact with state governors to ensure they have the necessary resources, and major disaster declarations have been approved for the hardest-hit states.
Long-term recovery efforts are also a priority, including providing housing and insurance support to those who have lost their homes or property. FEMA is collaborating with local and federal agencies to deliver essential services, while the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is helping with infrastructure assessments and power restoration.
On international matters, Jean-Pierre reiterated the U.S.'s support for Israel's right to defend itself against Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. At the same time, the administration is advocating for a diplomatic resolution and a ceasefire in Lebanon, hoping to deescalate tensions while continuing to support Israel's security needs.
In addition to the hurricane and Middle East developments, the briefing touched on domestic issues such as labor strikes and collective bargaining, immigration policies, and the resumption of student loan repayments. The administration continues to support workers' rights to negotiate and aims to address the challenges facing borrowers as student loan repayments restart. Finally, Jean-Pierre highlighted the president's upcoming trips, including a visit to Angola, which underscores the U.S.'s commitment to strengthening global partnerships.
President Biden is briefed on Hurricane Helene by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell
