Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 23 (Friday, February 5, 2021)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 8273-8275]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2021-02562]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 23 / Friday, February 5, 2021 /

Presidential Documents

[[Page 8273]]

Executive Order 14011 of February 2, 2021

Establishment of Interagency Task Force on the

Reunification of Families

By the authority vested in me as President by the

Constitution and the laws of the United States of

America, and in order to reunite children separated

from their families at the United States-Mexico border,

it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. It is the policy of my

Administration to respect and value the integrity of

families seeking to enter the United States. My

Administration condemns the human tragedy that occurred

when our immigration laws were used to intentionally

separate children from their parents or legal guardians

(families), including through the use of the Zero-

Tolerance Policy. My Administration will protect family

unity and ensure that children entering the United

States are not separated from their families, except in

the most extreme circumstances where a separation is

clearly necessary for the safety and well-being of the

child or is required by law.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is hereby established an

Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families

(Task Force).

arated from their families, except in

the most extreme circumstances where a separation is

clearly necessary for the safety and well-being of the

child or is required by law.

Sec. 2. Establishment. There is hereby established an

Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families

(Task Force).

Sec. 3. Membership. (a) The Task Force shall include

the following members or their designees:

(i) the Secretary of Homeland Security, who shall serve as Chair;

(ii) the Secretary of State, who shall serve as a Vice Chair;

(iii) the Secretary of Health and Human Services, who shall serve as a Vice

Chair;

(iv) the Attorney General;

(v) such other officers or employees of the Departments of State, Justice,

Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, as the head of each

respective department may designate; and

(vi) such other officers or employees of executive departments and agencies

(agencies) as the Chair or Vice Chairs may invite to participate, with the

concurrence of the head of the agency concerned.

(b) The Chair shall convene and preside at meetings

of the Task Force. The Chair, in consultation with the

Vice Chairs, shall direct its work and, as appropriate,

establish and direct subgroups of the Task Force.

Sec. 4. Functions. The Task Force shall, consistent

with applicable law, perform the following functions:

(a) Identifying all children who were separated

from their families at the United States-Mexico border

between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, in

connection with the operation of the Zero-Tolerance

Policy;

sk Force shall, consistent

with applicable law, perform the following functions:

(a) Identifying all children who were separated

from their families at the United States-Mexico border

between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021, in

connection with the operation of the Zero-Tolerance

Policy;

(b) To the greatest extent possible, facilitating

and enabling the reunification of each of the

identified children with their families by:

(i) providing recommendations to heads of agencies concerning the exercise

of any agency authorities necessary to reunite the children with their

families, including:

(A) recommendations regarding the possible exercise of parole under

section 212(d)(5)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as

amended (8 U.S.C. 1182(d)(5)(A)), or the issuance of visas or other

immigration benefits, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law;

[[Page 8274]]

(B) recommendations regarding the provision of additional services and

support to the children and their families, including trauma and mental

health services; and

(C) recommendations regarding reunification of any additional family

members of the children who were separated, such as siblings, where there

is a compelling humanitarian interest in doing so;

(ii) providing recommendations to the President concerning the exercise of

any Presidential authorities necessary to reunite the children with their

families, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law; and

dations regarding reunification of any additional family

members of the children who were separated, such as siblings, where there

is a compelling humanitarian interest in doing so;

(ii) providing recommendations to the President concerning the exercise of

any Presidential authorities necessary to reunite the children with their

families, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law; and

(iii) for purposes of developing the recommendations described in this

subsection, and in particular with respect to recommendations regarding the

manner and location of reunification, consulting with the children, their

families, representatives of the children and their families, and other

stakeholders, and considering the families' preferences and parental rights

as well as the children's well-being; and

(c) Providing regular reports to the President,

including:

(i) an initial progress report no later than 120 days after the date of

this order;

(ii) interim progress reports every 60 days thereafter;

(iii) a report containing recommendations to ensure that the Federal

Government will not repeat the policies and practices leading to the

separation of families at the border, no later than 1 year after the date

of this order; and

(iv) a final report when the Task Force has completed its mission.

Sec. 5. Task Force Administration. (a) To the extent

permitted by law, and subject to the availability of

appropriations, the Department of Homeland Security

shall provide the funding and administrative support

the Task Force needs to implement this order, as

determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

Sec. 5. Task Force Administration. (a) To the extent

permitted by law, and subject to the availability of

appropriations, the Department of Homeland Security

shall provide the funding and administrative support

the Task Force needs to implement this order, as

determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(b) To the extent permitted by law, including the

Economy Act (31 U.S.C. 1535), and subject to the

availability of appropriations, additional agencies

represented on the Task Force may detail staff to the

Task Force, or otherwise provide administrative

support, as necessary to implement this order, as

determined by the respective heads of agencies.

(c) The Task Force shall coordinate, as appropriate

and consistent with applicable law, with relevant

stakeholders, including domestic and international non-

governmental organizations, and representatives of the

children and their families.

(d) The Task Force, at the direction of the Chair,

may hold public meetings and engagement sessions as

necessary to carry out its mission.

(e) The Task Force shall terminate 30 days after it

provides its final report to the President under

section 4(c)(iv) of this order.

Sec. 6. Revocation of Executive Order 13841. Executive

Order 13841 of June 20, 2018 (Affording Congress an

Opportunity To Address Family Separation), is hereby

revoked.

Sec. 7. Definitions. For purposes of this order:

provides its final report to the President under

section 4(c)(iv) of this order.

Sec. 6. Revocation of Executive Order 13841. Executive

Order 13841 of June 20, 2018 (Affording Congress an

Opportunity To Address Family Separation), is hereby

revoked.

Sec. 7. Definitions. For purposes of this order:

(a) The term ``children'' includes all persons who

were under the age of 18 at the time they were

separated from their families at the border.

(b) The term ``Zero-Tolerance Policy'' means the

policy discussed in the Attorney General's memorandum

of April 6, 2018, entitled, ``Zero-Tolerance for

Offenses Under 8 U.S.C. 1325(a),'' and any other

related policy, program, practice, or initiative

resulting in the separation of children from their

families at the United States-Mexico border.

Sec. 8. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order

shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or

the head thereof; or

[[Page 8275]]

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with

applicable law and subject to the availability of

appropriations.

d by law to an executive department or agency, or

the head thereof; or

[[Page 8275]]

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with

applicable law and subject to the availability of

appropriations.

(c) 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.

(Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

February 2, 2021.

[FR Doc. 2021-02562

Filed 2-4-21; 8:45 am]

Billing code 3295-F1-P