By Raymond AlQaisi, Policy and Advocacy Manager, and Carrie Warick, Director of Policy and Advocacy
Yesterday, Joseph R. Biden took the oath of office to become the 46th president of the United States. For students of NCAN members, this was likely their first inauguration of burgeoning adulthood, which they are entering in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic,
an economic downtown, and a national reckoning on racial injustice.
The new president's inaugural address focused in large part on working together to face the immense challenges at hand. In the opening of his speech, President Biden said, “The American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all
of us.” Our students are a crucial part of “all of us,” as they are America’s future. It is critical that as a nation we work together to address the challenges they face.
As part of President Biden’s executive actions during his first day in office, he requested that the U.S. Department of Education extend the federal student loan repayment/interest freeze. This extension will go through Sept. 30, 2021, and does not require
congressional action. NCAN has called on both the former and current administrations to continue this relief until 30 days after the end of the national emergency declaration due to the novel coronavirus.
On the subject of student loan forgiveness, however, President Biden has said he will not unilaterally forgive student loan debt without working with Congress to determine the best path forward via legislation, not executive action.
Additionally, President Biden made immigration a clear priority for his administration. He issued a presidential memorandum declaring that he is “committed to preserving and fortifying DACA,” the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program created
during the Obama administration. The new president has asked the secretary of homeland security and the attorney general to work together to make this happen. NCAN strongly supports the continuation of the DACA program until Congress passes comprehensive
immigration reform legislation.
COVID is worsening college access disparities by race/ethnicity & socioeconomic status. As the @POTUS Biden administration takes office, we offer these steps as possible administrative action
to support today's students. #InaugurationDay#BuildBackBetterhttps://t.co/Z3TSSmEi7Z
Leading into his inauguration, President Biden proposed two sweeping policy proposals: one for additional COVID relief and one for immigration reform. It is important to note that Congress must vote to approve both of these proposals before President
Biden can sign them into law.
The COVID relief proposal includes $35 billion in additional support for higher education. The immigration proposal includes an eight-year pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. on or before Jan. 1, 2021. This includes
a three-year pathway for DACA recipients, who would be able to apply immediately for green cards.
The following are summaries of the proposed legislation President Biden is asking Congress to pass.
COVID Relief Proposal
President Biden has laid out his vision for another COVID relief package, namely the American Rescue Plan. As for additional education funding,
the president is asking Congress to provide $170 billion for K-12 schools and institutions of higher education.
The bill would provide $130 billion in flexible funding to help schools reopen safely and operate/facilitate remote learning. President Biden has set a goal to open the majority of K-8 schools within the first 100 days of his administration. In the plan’s
outline, the new administration states that districts can use this funding in a variety of ways, such as reducing class sizes, modifying learning spaces, hiring more cleaning and health staff, implementing public health measures, providing personal
protective equipment, and more.
Additionally, the plan says a portion of this fund will be reserved for a “COVID-19 Educational Equity Challenge Grant.” This grant will focus on equity- and evidence-based policies and will be available to states, local, and tribal governments partnering
with teachers, parents, and other stakeholders to ensure students receive the support they need to succeed.
Higher Education
The bill includes $35 billion for the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) that the Department of Education would direct to public colleges and universities, public and private
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions. The fund will grant institutions the resources to implement public health measures and distance learning plans, and to provide student emergency aid.
In the plan’s outline, the new administration says this fund can help provide millions of students up to an additional $1,700 in financial assistance from their institution.
The incoming administration is referring to this as the “Hardest Hit Education Fund." Biden’s proposal includes $5 billion in flexible funding for governors to support education and learning impacted by COVID-19. Governors would be able to determine how
much to spend on K-12, higher education, and/or early childhood education programs.
Immigration Proposal
In addition to the presidential memorandum discussed above, President Biden is calling on Congress to pass his comprehensive immigration reform package, which his administration is calling the U.S. Citizenship Act. It includes a pathway to citizenship for undocumented individuals present in the country as of Jan. 1, 2021. These individuals would receive temporary status for five years, and then, after meeting certain requirements, they would
be able to apply for a green card. After three years with a green card, participants would be eligible to apply for citizenship.
Current DACA recipients would be able to immediately apply for a green card.
The proposal will also include a review of temporary protected status (TPS) programs, more technology at the border, an expansion of refugee programs, and a focus on the root causes of migration from Central American countries.
As the Biden administration continues to act on its plan for its first 100 days, NCAN will keep reporting the most important developments for our members and their students.
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