Biden signs executive orders on climate change, immigration, COVID-19 on first day

Joe Biden on his first day in office has signed more than one dozen executive actions, some of which reverse decisions made by his predecessor, Donald Trump.

The executive orders cover areas such as the environment, climate change, the US census, immigration, regulatory changes to mention but a few.

In the presence of journalists and reporters, he signed three executive orders implementing a mask compulsion on federal property, rejoining the Paris climate accord, and increasing support for underserved communities.

This is our summarised version of Joe Biden’s first 15 executive orders:

COVID -19 RESPONSE

1. Start a 100-day masking challenge
2. Restructure federal government coordination to the COVID-19 pandemic
3. Rejoin the World Health Organisation (WHO)

FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR ALL AMERICANS

1. Extend evictions and foreclosures moratorium
2. Pause student loans payments till September 30, 2021

ENVIRONMENT

1. Rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement
2. End Keystone XL pipeline and revoke oil and gas development at national wildlife monuments

HUMAN RIGHTS

1. Actions to advance racial equity through the federal government
2. Count non-citizens in U.S. Census again
3. Strengthen workplace discrimination protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity

IMMIGRATION

1. Defend the “Dreamers” program for undocumented young Americans (DACA – Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)
2. End so-called Muslim travel ban
3. Change Trump’s arrest priorities for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
4. Stop border wall construction
5. Keep protections for a group of Liberians in the country

REGULATION

1. Freezing last-minute Trump administration regulatory actions

ETHICS

1. Formulate Executive Branch ethics doctrine