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Welcome to another edition of FT Now! This week saw more important news
across the country, so let's get right to business! First up, the
Biden Administration's Customs and Border Protection revived the
'catch and release' policy at the border, which comes in the face of
mounting COVID-19 concerns for illegal immigrants in the United States.
Next, even more pressure is mounting on President Biden to reverse his
day-one executive order canceling the Keystone Pipeline- and it is
coming from his own side of the political aisle. Finally, some good
news. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has dropped statewide enforcement of
COVID-19 mandates, as her state has seen major progress in its fight
against the pandemic. Read below for more!
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Biden administration's CBP revives 'catch and release' policy at
border amid COVID concerns
What Happened:
The Biden Administration has returned to the controversial 'catch and
release' policy, as CPB will now begin releasing newly arrived illegal
immigrants into U.S. cities amidst a "perfect storm" of difficulties at
the border.
Why You Should Care:
While the return of 'catch and release' brings many more issues with
illegal immigration overall, such as the likely exploitation of the
policy by smugglers, there are also fresh concerns of further spread of
COVID-19. Importantly, illegal immigrants do not enter the U.S. with
negative COVID tests and CPB does not test them unless they have obvious
symptoms.
LEARN MORE
Top Democrat Senator Urges Biden To Reverse On Keystone Pipeline, 14 AGs
Threaten Legal Action
What Happened:
Democrat Senator Joe Manchin, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources
Committee chairman, urged President Biden to reverse his decision to
cancel the Keystone Pipeline. Fourteen attorney generals also strongly
criticized the order in a letter to the administration.
Why You Should Care:
The rebukes by Senator Manchin and the 14 attorney generals show the
mounting pushback against President Biden's decision to cancel the
pipeline. He has been criticized in recent weeks for the order, which
will kill thousands of jobs. Pipelines are a much safer form of oil
transportation than alternatives like shipping by truck or rail, despite
the environmental alarms raised by the president.
What Happens Next:
It is unclear what impact this pushback against President Biden's
decision will have, or if more elected officials will step forward to
criticize the pipeline's cancellation.
LEARN MORE
Iowa Gov. Reynolds' proclamation drops enforcement of COVID-19
mandates
What Happened:
With much better numbers in her state, Governor Kim Reynolds has dropped
the enforcement of COVID-19 mandates in Iowa from February 7th through
March 7th in a statewide proclamation.
Why You Should Care:
This is a positive sign for Iowa, which has suffered economically like
the rest of the country with COVID measures. Specifically for
restaurants and bars, the move by Gov. Reynolds will empower owners to
make responsible decisions for themselves concerning health and safety.
What Happens Next:
Hopefully, the loosening of restrictions will provide a much-needed
boost to Iowa's businesses while maintaining the COVID-safe
environment Gov. Reynolds has fostered.
LEARN MORE
Thank you for reading this week's edition of FT Now.
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