MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Joe Biden rejoins Paris Accord, revokes 'Muslim Ban' and Mexico border wall, Internet says 'it's still day 1'

Biden went on to undo many of Trump’s executive orders and policies, including the notorious “Muslim ban” and border wall

President Joe Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement as one of his first acts in the Oval Office. Biden rescinded the controversial order passed by his predecessor Donald Trump in 2017 that made US the only country among 200 signatories to leave the largest international collaboration against climate change. Biden had vowed to sign all the necessary documents to rejoin the agreement on Inauguration Day itself.

“I, Joseph R Biden Jr, President of the United States of America, having seen and considered the Paris Agreement, done at Paris on December 12, 2015, do hereby accept the said Agreement and every article and clause thereof on behalf of the United States of America,” — read Biden’s executive order for acceptance of the Paris Climate Accord.

In fact, Biden went on to undo many of Trump’s executive orders and policies, including the notorious “Muslim ban”, construction of the US-Mexico border wall, and income inequality. 

Why did Biden join the Paris Climate Accord?

In 2015, USA played a significant role in formulating the Paris Climate Agreement, in view of the rising global temperatures and adverse effects of climate change. At present, the USA stands at the second position behind China in the production of carbon emissions, resulting in global warming. Biden’s step towards rejoining the Paris Climate Agreement will ensure that environmental violations from the USA are kept in check and that the country cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions.

During his presidential campaign, Biden had pledged to omit greenhouse gases completely from USA’s electric sector by 2035. He also eyes to embark on an action plan that would make the country carbon neutral by 2050.

America’s rejoining of the Paris Agreement was lauded by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. “We look forward to the leadership of United States in accelerating global efforts towards net zero,” he mentioned in a statement.

Biden's first actions

Following the culmination of the Inauguration Day ceremonies, Biden did not waste time in starting off his duties in the Oval Office, as the 46th President of the United States. He started working around 5.15 pm and rolled out 15 executive orders and two action items soon. “There's no time to start like today,” he remarked while starting his work at the Resolute Desk in Oval Office, reported The Independent.

To control the aggravating Covid-19 pandemic situation, the new president introduced the 100-day mask challenge across the country. An executive order now makes the wearing of masks mandatory in all federal buildings and also during interstate travel.

Biden is also reportedly reorganizing the government’s approach to combating the pandemic. In fact, it is believed that Biden will have the USA rejoin the World Health Organisation (WHO) and make healthcare policies better. USA had left WHO under Trump when he had accused the global health organization to be in close contact with China.

Lifting the 'Muslim Ban' & halting the 'border wall'

With an executive order, Biden also revoked the highly controversial ‘Muslim Ban’, which was enacted by Trump to ban citizens from more than a dozen Muslim-majority countries to travel to the USA. He signed another order that will reinforce the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) program launched under President Obama. It protects the legal citizenship status of ‘Dreamers’ — the Americans who came to the USA as children without any documentation but have spent their whole lives here. Biden’s order calls on Congress for a law that provides an eight-year path to citizenship to the individuals under Daca. 

It was also declared that the Biden administration will issue fresh guidelines to the officials at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The order will completely end Trump’s family separation policy. The construction of the infamous ‘wall’ along the USA-Mexico border will also be stopped immediately. 

America Reacts

Twitter erupted in happy reactions as news surfaced about Biden signing to rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and also repealing Trump’s controversial orders. "It’s happening! By Executive Order: No Keystone XL, no drilling in the Arctic Refuge and we’re back in the Paris Climate Agreement! And it’s still Day One!!!" wrote actress Jane Fonda.

"Exciting news! @JoeBiden signed an executive order for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris Agreement. It will take 30 days to take effect. Great effort towards building back better. #InaugurationDay #ClimateAction," wrote one user. "Macron to Biden and Harris: 'Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!," one user shared the French President's reaction." Yet another wrote: "The environment took a huge breath today".