Understanding Trump’s Executive Order and Its Impact on Family Separation

Recent discussions have surfaced regarding the supposed expiration of an executive order (EO) signed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. This article aims to clarify whether the order, which sought to stop family separation at the border, only lasts for 20 days. We will also provide the full text of the EO and explain its key provisions.

For anyone looking for detailed information, you can visit the official White House website (whitehouse.gov) and search for all executive orders yourself. By doing your own research, you will learn a lot about the nuances of these documents and their implications.

The Full Text of Trump’s EO on Family Separation

Below is the complete text of the Executive Order signed by President Trump on June 20, 2018, along with a personal comment:

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1: Policy

The policy of this Administration is to rigorously enforce our immigration laws. The only legal way for an alien to enter the country is at a designated port of entry. When an alien enters or attempts to enter the country anywhere else, they have committed at least the crime of improper entry and are subject to a fine or imprisonment. This Administration will initiate proceedings to enforce these criminal provisions until and unless Congress directs otherwise. It is also the policy of this Administration to maintain family unity, including detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.

Section 2: Definitions

The following definitions apply for the purposes of this order:

Alien Family: Any person who has not been admitted into or is not authorized to enter or remain in the U.S. who entered with an alien child or children at or between designated ports of entry and who has been detained, or that person’s alien child or children. Alien Child: Any person who has not been admitted into or is not authorized to enter or remain in the U.S., is under the age of 18, and has a legal parent-child relationship to an alien who entered the U.S. with the alien child at or between designated ports of entry and who has been detained.

Section 3: Temporary Detention Policy for Families Entering Illegally

Subsections a through e

The Secretary of Homeland Security is required to maintain custody of alien families during the pendency of any criminal or immigration proceedings involving their members. However, the Secretary shall not detain an alien family together if there is a concern that detention of an alien child with the child’s alien parent would pose a risk to the child’s welfare. The Secretary of Defense and heads of federal departments and agencies are tasked with providing housing and care facilities for alien families, and the Attorney General is to file a request with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California to modify the Settlement Agreement in Flores v. Sessions to permit the Secretary to detain alien families together.

Section 4: Prioritization of Immigration Proceedings Involving Alien Families

The Attorney General shall prioritize the adjudication of cases involving detained families to the extent practicable.

Section 5: General Provisions

Subsections a to c

Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect the authority granted by law to any federal department or agency. The order is to be implemented in a manner consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. This order is not intended to, and does not create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.

Personal Comment by [Your Name]

It is unfortunate that Congress’s failure to act and court orders have forced the Administration to consider separating families to effectively enforce the law. While the EO includes an attack against the Democratic Party, the reality is that the President had the discretionary authority to act in this situation. A simple telephone call could have halted the atrocities on the border.

Key Takeaways

1. Executive Order Duration: The EO on stopping family separation at the border does not have a designated 20-day expiration. It is a long-term policy document.

2. Legal Framework: The EO is rooted in the Immigration and Nationality Act, with legal and administrative authority vested in the President.

3. Family Detention Policy: The EO aims to maintain family unity and provide care for alien families during the legal proceedings.

Conclusion

By understanding the full text of the EO and its provisions, it becomes clear that the order is a comprehensive and lasting policy intended to enforce immigration laws while maintaining family unity. Further research and personal commentary can provide deeper insights into the complex issues surrounding immigration policies.

For more detailed information, visit the official White House website (whitehouse.gov) and explore all executive orders yourself. {keyword}