Shortly after his inauguration as the 46th president of the United States, President Joe Biden signed 17 executive orders, according to a CNN report.
Among the 17 executive orders and presidential actions Biden signed on Wednesday were the order to end travel restrictions and immigration from countries including Nigeria, Eritrea, Yemen, Sudan and others.
“There’s no time to waste,” Biden said before signing the executive orders in the White House.
“These are just all starting points,” he added
The American Civil Liberties Union, a non-profit civil rights organisation, applauded the move calling the travel policy a “cruel Muslim ban that targeted Africans.”
However, the ban was changed, in part due to legal challenges, and included some non majority-Muslim nations.
President Biden described the policy as discriminatory and an affront to the country’s values.
The President has also sent a bill to Congress to overhaul the country’s immigration system, his team said earlier.
The legislation aims to provide pathways to US citizenship for undocumented people, address the causes of migration and speed up the reunification of families after children were separated from parents at the US border with Mexico.
List of other Executive Orders Biden signed on Day One as US President
Nine of the executive orders reversed some controversial policies introduced by his immediate predecessor, Donald Trump, while the remaining borders on the new policies by the president.
Executive order on mask/coronavirus
This mandates the use of masks and physical distancing in federal buildings, on federal lands and by government contractors, and urges states and local governments to do the same.
Executive order on WHO
This stops the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) as earlier directed by Trump.
Executive order on COVID-19 response
This creates the position of COVID-19 Response Coordinator who will report directly to Biden and manage efforts to produce and distribute vaccines and medical equipment.
Executive order on nationwide moratorium
This order extends the existing nationwide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until at least March 31.
Executive order on student loan
This extends the existing pause on student loan payments and interest for Americans with federal student loans until at least September 30.
Executive order on Paris climate accord
Reversing Trump’s decision, this order rejoins the Paris climate accord, a process that will take 30 days.
Executive order on Keystone XL pipeline
This cancels the Keystone XL pipeline and directs agencies to review and reverse more than 100 Trump actions on the environment.
Executive order on racial equity
This rescinds the Trump administration’s 1776 Commission, directs agencies to review their actions to ensure racial equity.
Executive order on gender equity
This prevents workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Executive order on census
This requires non-citizens to be included in the Census and apportionment of congressional representatives, reversing another Trump’s policy.
Executive order on immigration
This fortifies the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) after Trump’s efforts to undo protections for undocumented people brought into the country as children.
Executive order on immigration enforcement
This reverses Trump’s expansion of immigration enforcement within the United States.
Executive order on deportation
This order extends deferrals of deportation and work authorisations for Liberians with a safe haven in the United States until June 30, 2022.
Executive order on ethics
This requires executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge barring them from acting in personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice.
Executive order on regulation
This directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director to develop recommendations to modernize regulatory review and undoes Trump’s regulatory approval process.
