[♪ THEME MUSIC ♪] >>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS, ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," QUESTIONS CONTINUE REGARDING THE COVID-19 VACCINE ROLLOUT IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

ON CRONKITE NEWS, THE COMPARISON OF THE THREE MAJOR COVID-19 VACCINES, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, THE PRESSURE OF BEING THE FIRST.

ALL OF THIS AND MORE AHEAD IN THE NEXT HOUR OF ARIZONA PBS.

>>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME TO "ARIZONA HORIZON."

I'M TED SIMONS.

ARIZONA REMAINS THE HOT SPOT IN THE NATION FOR NEW CASES OF COVID-19.

THE STATE RECORDED OVER 9,000 NEW CASES TODAY.

THAT KEEPS OUR 7-DAY AVERAGE AS THE HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY, WITH 244 NEW FATALITIES ON THE DAY, WITH THE TOTAL DEATH COUNT NOW APPROACHING 12,000.

AND INPATIENT AND ICU BEDS ARE STILL AT 92% OF CAPACITY.

PRESIDENT BIDEN TODAY SIGNED A STRING OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS ADDRESSING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

IT FOCUSES ON THE SHORTFALL OF VACCINES AND TESTS AS LONG AS OTHER EQUIPMENT USED FOR PROTECTION.

AND THE PRESIDENT SIGNED AN ORDER MANDATING MASKS FOR INTERSTATE TRAVEL ON PLANES, TRAINS, BUSES AND SHIPS.

ANOTHER ORDER CALLS FOR QUARANTINES ON INTERNATIONAL TRAVELLERS.

HOUSE SPEAKER NANCY PELOSI SAYS THAT THE SENATE IMPEACHMENT TRAIL OF FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP WILL START SOON BUT DID NOT GIVE A DATE.

SHE SAYS THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT TRUMP PLAYED A ROLE IN CAUSING THE ATTACK ON THE U.S. CAPITOL.

>> HE ROWED THE TROOPS, AND SHOWED A PATH TO THE CAPITOL, AND THE LAWLESSNESS TOOK PLACE.

A DIRECT CONNECTION IN ONE DAY.

>> A PENNSYLVANIA WOMAN FACING CHARGES THAT SHE HELPED STEAL A LAPTOP FROM PELOSI'S OFFICE WAS RELEASED FROM JAIL TODAY.

THE WOMAN IS ACCUSED OF LEFT THE, OBSTRUCTION AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT ON CAPITOL GROUNDS.

THE FBI IS INVESTIGATING A TIP THAT SHE HOPED TO SELL THE COMPUTER TO RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE.

AND OVER 900,000 AMERICANS FILED FOR FIRST-TIME UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS LAST WEEK.

ALL OF THAT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON WASHINGTON FOR MORE AID AND A STRONGER STIMULUS PACKAGE.

>>> BACK TO COVID-19, THE VACCINE ROLLOUT HAS BEEN BUMPY.

WE LOOKED AT MARICOPA COUNTY'S VACCINE ROLLOUT.

DOCTOR, GOOD TO HAVE YOU HERE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE COUNTY'S VACCINE SUPPLY.

WHERE ARE WE AT RIGHT NOW?

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I THINK THE VACCINE SUPPLY HAS BEEN CHALLENGING BECAUSE WHAT WE LEARN ABOUT OUR VACCINE SUPPLY COMES TO US JUST ABOUT 24 HOURS BEFORE WE CAN ACTUALLY ORDER THE DOSES, SO WE HAVE RECEIVED -- WHEN WE THINK OF VACCINE, WE THINK OF THE TWO DIFFERENT TYPES, AND MOSTLY, I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT PFIZER BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE GET MOST OF HERE IN MARICOPA COUNTY.

WE HAVE GOTTEN ALMOST 300,000 DOSES, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALWAYS NECESSARILY PHYSICALLY WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE.

SO A LOT OF TIMES THE DOSES ARE IN TRANSIT, AND THEY DON'T ACTUALLY COME TO MARICOPA COUNTY.

THEY GO DIRECTLY TO ALL OF THE DIFFERENT VACCINE SITES OUT THERE.

SO WHAT WE'RE CONSTANTLY HAVING TO DO IS GIVE OUR BEST GUESS AT HOW MUCH SUPPLY MIGHT COME SO WE CAN WORK WITH THAT, BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WILL GET AND OUR ALLOCATION WAS DRASTICALLY REDUCED THIS WEEK.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AT LEAST A WEEK'S WORTH THERE, SO WE CAN PLAN FOR THE NEXT WEEK.

>> THAT'S INTERESTING.

I HEARD FOR THOSE AGE 65 TO 74, THE STATE IT IS OKAY, BUT MARICOPA COUNTY SAYS NOT SO FAST?

>> SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING AT IN MARICOPA COUNTY IS OUR POPULATION OF PEOPLE AGE 65 AND OVER ARE -- ARE MORE THAN 700,000 PEOPLE, SO WHEN WE OPENED IT UP TO OUR INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE 75 AND OLDER, WE WERE OPENING IT UP TO 300,000 INDIVIDUALS, AND THAT WAS AT THE TIME WHEN WE WERE STILL COMPLETING VACCINATIONS OF OUR HEALTHCARE WORKERS, AND WE'RE STILL WORKING TO VACCINATE ALL OF THOSE VERY VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.

SO THEY ARE STILL STRUGGLING TO FIND APPOINTMENTS, AND THERE AREN'T THAT MANY APPOINTMENTS ABLE EVEN TO MEET THEIR NEEDS.

WE STARTED WITH EIGHT PHARMACIES, AND WE'RE ADDING MORE EVERY DAY.

WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTHCARE CENTERS, OUR HOSPITALS, ALL OF OUR PODS, BUT WITH THOSE, THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH APPOINTMENTS TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THOSE 75 AND OLDER, SO IF WE WERE TO ADD ANOTHER 400,000, 65 AND OLDER, IT DOESN'T DO THE PUBLIC ANY GOOD.

>> BUT IN OTHER COUNTIES THEY ARE OKAY?

>> EACH COUNTY IS IN A DIFFERENT POSITION BASED ON HOW MANY THEY HAVE IN THAT POPULATION, AND HOW MUCH VACCINE THEY ARE GETTING.

THE LARGER COUNTIES ARE NOT IN A POSITION WHERE THEY CAN OPEN IT UP TO 65 AND OLDER, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VACCINE.

>> WHEN DO YOU THINK -- WHEN DO YOU THINK THAT THAT WILL IMPROVE -- YOU OBVIOUSLY TOLD US.

YOU DON'T KNOW UNTIL THE LAST SECOND.

BUT WHEN DO WE START OPENING THINGS UP?

>> WELL, WE'RE TRYING TO SERVE THOSE WHO ARE 75 AND OLDER AS FAST AS WE CAN.

WE'RE WORKING WITH ALL OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS TO HAVE SPECIAL SCHOOL PODS TO GET THOSE STAFF VACCINATED, AND WE SERVED ALMOST ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THEY HAVE BEEN VACCINATED OR IN THE PROCESS OF BEING VACCINATED.

AND THEN WE WILL OPEN IT UP TO 65 AND OLDER, AND WE HOPE TO GET THERE SOMETIME IN -- IN THE NEXT MONTH, FEW WEEKS, BUT WE REALLY CAN'T PREDICT.

>> YEAH, IT MUST BE DIFFICULT TO LOOK FORWARD WHEN YOU CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH VACCINE.

IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS GOING TO START PUSHING FOR THOSE THINGS TO GET SENT OUT.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING?

>> WE'RE HEARING LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS ABOUT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN, AND IT'S REALLY DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW THINGS ARE GOING TO CHANGE FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE.

WE HOPE THERE WILL BE MORE VACCINE COMING OUT IN THE FUTURE.

WE ALSO HOPE THAT PFIZER WILL MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THEIR VACCINE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO BE DELIVERED IN SMALLER BATCHES, AND WE'RE HOPING THAT MORE VACCINES WILL BECOME AVAILABLE SO WE CAN INCREASE SUPPLY AND OPEN IT UP TO ALL OF OUR POPULATION.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>> UP NEXT ON "ARIZONA HORIZON," WE'LL SPEAK WITH CONGRESSMAN RUBEN GALLEGO ABOUT WHAT HE WANTS TO SEE FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

>>> THIS IS THE FIRST FULL DAY OF WORK FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, AND AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER, THEY ARE GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION OUT OF THE GATE.

WE SPOKE WITH RUBEN GALLEGO ABOUT WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE FROM THE WHITE HOUSE.

CONGRESSMAN TAKE YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE INAUGURATION.

>> IT WAS A GREAT INAUGURATION.

I THINK FOR ME AND A LOT OF PEOPLE, IT FELT LIKE A WEIGHT HAD BEEN LIFTED.

IT HAS BEEN A LONG TWO WEEKS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE YEAR.

>> TALK OF UNITY.

IS IT POSSIBLE IN THIS POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT?

>> WELL, YES, OF COURSE.

BUT IT TAKES TWO TO TANGO.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT UNITY, IT MEANS THAT NUMBER 1 WE BELIEVE IN CONTINUITY OF OUR GOVERNMENT, BUT ALSO OUR FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE AISLE HAVE TO SEPTEMBER THERE WAS A LEGITIMATE ELECTION.

WE CANNOT HAVE UNITY BASED ON LIES.

AND NUMBER 2, WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS IN COMMON THAT WE WANT TO GET DONE.

WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH COVID-19.

WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THE ECONOMICS OF COVID-19, AND THAT'S IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF DEMOCRATS, REPUBLICANS, AND INDEPENDENTS TO DEAL WITH THAT.

IF WE HAVE A SLUGGISH ECONOMY COMING OUT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE'RE GOING TO REGRET THAT FOR DECADES TO COME.

>> ARE YOU SENSING A WHIFF OF BIPARTISANSHIP FROM REPUBLICANS?

>> NOT YET.

I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO START BY STOP PARTICIPATING IN [ INAUDIBLE ] ELECTION.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTRY TO START HEALING.

AND NOT AGREEING TO SHIFT POWER, AND TRYING TO HOLD ON TO THE POWER OF THE FILIBUSTER, WHICH IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT IN TERMS OF CREATING UNITY, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT STOPS ALL LEGISLATION.

>> YEAH.

YEAH.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR FROM THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION?

>> NUMBER 1, I THINK SOMETHING EVERYONE REALLY WANTS IS JUST A RETURN TO NORMALCY.

NOT BEING UNSURE OF WHAT IS GOING TO BE TWEETED OUT.

NO UPS AND DOWNS AND DRAMA THAT WE SAW FROM THE LAST ADMINISTRATION.

WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A STEADY HAND HERE AND ABROAD, AND THEN AFTER THAT, IT'S REALLY WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF EVERY DAY WORKING PEOPLE.

WE NEED TO INCREASE WAGES IN THIS COUNTRY, INCREASE PEOPLE'S ABILITIES TO SUCCEED, THINGS OF THAT NATURE THAT I THINK HAVE BEEN REALLY OVERLOOKED IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS.

I'M EXCITED THAT WE CAN GET THE $15 AN HOUR WAGE PASSED.

HEALTHCARE, HEALTH INSURANCE, AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT SOMEBODY IN THE WHITE HOUSE IS FIGHTING FOR THEM.

>> SPECIFIC ARIZONA CONCERNS.

THINGS YOU WANT TO SEE THE ADMINISTRATION FOCUS ON WHEN IT COMES TO THE STATE?

>> IMMIGRATION REFORM, WHICH THEY ARE ALREADY TALKING ABOUT NOW.

AND [ INAUDIBLE ] TO CRAFT NEW LEGISLATION.

NUMBER 2, A VERY STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

WE'RE A GROWING STATE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE BETTER SUPPORT FOR OUR GROWING NEEDS, WHICH ISN'T JUST LIKE ROADS AND BRIDGES, BUT ALSO THINGS LIKE WATER AND INFRASTRUCTURE, AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE DROUGHT RESILIENT AS A STATE, AS WELL AS -- YOU KNOW, ENERGY RESILIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO USING MORE RENEWABLE ENERGIES, AND LASTLY, WITH MY CURRENT SEAT ON THE ARMED SERVICES COMMITTEE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PROTECT OUR VERY IMPORTANT LEGISLATION IN ARIZONA.

IT DRIVES OUR ECONOMY, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY STAY THAT WAY.

>> WILL THAT BE MUCH DIFFERENT AS FAR AS THE TWO ADMINISTRATIONS ARE CONCERNED REGARDING THE DEFENSE CONTRACTS?

>> AT FIRST BLUSH, I WOULD SAY NO.

BUT THERE ARE WAYS TO REDUCE THE [ INAUDIBLE ] IN THE DEFENSE BUDGET, WHILE MAKING SURE WE HAVE A STRONG AND RESILIENT MILITARY, ONE THAT MEETS THE DEMAND OF [ INAUDIBLE ] AND ALSO GET READY FOR THE ENEMIES OF TOMORROW, BUT, THAT BEING SAID, I DON'T THINK THAT EFFECTS ARIZONA THAT MUCH.

THE ASSETS WE HAVE HERE ARE INSTRUMENTAL IN TODAY'S FIGHT AND TOMORROW'S FIGHT.

>> REPRESENTATIVES BIGGS AND GOSAR ARE BEING MENTIONED AS FOLKS WHO WILL BE INVESTIGATED IN ALLEGED ROLES ON THE ATTACK ON THE WHITE HOUSE.

DO YOU THINK THEY SHOULD BE, AND WHY?

>> I THINK THEY SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.

THERE IS AN INDICATION THAT THERE WAS COORDINATION BETWEEN THOSE TWO MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.

SO LET'S DO AN INVESTIGATION, AND GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED HERE, AND IF THE FACTS POINT THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING ILLEGAL, THEN WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE REPERCUSSIONS THEN.

>> BUT FOR THOSE WHO SAY, THOSE INVESTIGATIONS, TRUMP IMPEACHMENT, NOT THE BEST THING FOR UNITY, YOU SAY?

>> WELL, NUMBER 1, STOP LYING.

WHEN WE HAVE CLEARLY HAVE HAD ABOUT TWO MONTHS COMING FROM BOTH THE PRESIDENT AND HIS REPUBLICAN ENABLERS THAT THIS LIE WAS CREATED THAT SOMEHOW THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN.

NUMBER 2, WITH -- WHEN YOU WANT UNITY, YOU FIRST HAVE TO HAVE ACCOUNTABILITY.

AND WE CANNOT HAVE UNITY UNTIL WE HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

THERE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN 20,000 RIOTERS IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AND ATTACKING THE CAPITOL IF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HAD NOT ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO SHOW UP ON JANUARY 6TH TO PUT PRESSURE ON CONGRESS.

THERE WAS AN ACT OF PARTICIPATION OF ENCOURAGING PEOPLE.

WE KNOW THERE WERE GROUPS THAT ACTIVELY PLANNED TO ATTACK THE WHITE HOUSE, SO TO SAY THIS PRESIDENT IS NOT RESPONSIBLE THE LUDICROUS.

AND AN IMPEACHMENT TRIAL WILL GIVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTRY TO MAKE A DECISION.

>> CONGRESSMAN THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> DAY 1 IN OFFICE MEANT A SERIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDERS SIGNED BY PRESIDENT BIDEN.

TYLER MANNONE REPORTS ON ONE PARTICULAR ITEM THAT IS OF INTEREST TO ARIZONA.

>> Reporter: PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN TOOK TO ACTION ON IMMIGRATION DIRECTLY FOLLOWING HIS INAUGURATION.

ONE OF THE DECISIONS TO PROVIDE A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THE DREAMERS.

THIS IS ONE OF THOSE DREAMERS, AND AN A MEMBER OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS BEEN FIGHTING FOR DACA FOR YEARS.

>> WE NEED TO BE ALSO PRACTICAL AND UNDERSTAND THAT HE CAN HAVE A PLAN, BUT IT IS GOING TO TAKE CONGRESS TO MAKE IT A REALITY.

>> Reporter: FOR NOW IT INCLUDES AN EXECUTIVE ORDER, BUT THE POSSIBILITIES HAVE MONTOYA EMOTIONAL.

IF YOU WERE TO VENTURE WITH ME OUT OF THE WORLD OF PRACTICALITY, IF THIS DOES GO THROUGH, WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN TO YOU?

>> I THINK THAT THE REASON I AM ACTING LIKE THIS IS BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN HEART BROKEN SO MANY TIMES BY ADMINISTRATIONS.

HAVING TO SURVIVE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS A NIGHTMARE.

I WOULD BE WAKING UP AT 5:00 EVERY DAY JUST TO CHECK WHAT THE SUPREME COURT DECISIONS ARE.

>> Reporter: REACTION TO BIDEN'S PLANS HAVE COME IMMEDIATELY.

AND FOR ANDY BIGS IT CAME ON THE SAME PLATFORM SHE USED TO CHECK NERVOUSLY.

>> THE PRESIDENT WORKED SO HARD TO SECURE THIS BORDER FOR OUR NATION.

>> Reporter: SHE REMEMBERS HOW IMMA GRANTS WERE TREATED THE LAST TIME BIDEN SERVED IN THE WHITE HOUSE.

>> WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE STILL A RECORD FOR DEPORTING 3 MILLION PEOPLE.

AND IN ONE OF HIS DEBATES, HE ADMITTED IT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE, SO I REALLY HOPE THIS TIME AROUND HE WILL REFLECT ON THE MISTAKES OF THE PAST AND WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER REPEAT OF 2010.

>> Reporter: HIS PLAN WILL PROVIDE AN EIGHT-YEAR PATH TO CITIZENSHIP.

>>> "HORIZONTE" HOST JOSE CARDENAS SPOKE WITH ANGELA BANKS ABOUT SOME OF THE EXECUTIVE ORRER ORRER -- ORDERS.

>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

THERE WAS AN EXECUTIVE ORDER SIGNED YESTERDAY.

TELL US WHAT WAS IN IT.

>> WELL, TWO THAT WERE REALLY IMPORTANT IN THE CONTEXT OF IMMIGRATION, AND ONE SEEKS TO FORTIFY DACA.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS DECIDED TO SORT OF REINSTATE DACA AS WE KNEW IT UNDER THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION.

AND THEN REVOKING WHAT IS KNOWN AS THE MUSLIM BAN.

THE PREVIOUS TRUMP EXECUTIVE ORDERS THAT PLANNED PEOPLE COMING FROM MOSTLY MUSLIM COUNTRIES TO COME TO THE UNITED STATES.

>> I LOOKED AT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.

I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING MORE SPECIFIC.

>> I THINK IT WILL BE DEPENDANT ON THE DEPARTMENT OF SECURITY TO COME OUT WITH MORE DETAILS.

WHAT I EXPECT IS THINGS LIKE -- FOR EXAMPLE RIGHT NOW THE WORK AUTHORIZATION IS ONLY BEING GRANTED FOR SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME THAN HAD BEEN DONE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION.

SO MAYBE IT WILL EXTEND THAT PERIOD.

NOT TAKING NEW APPLICATIONS AT THIS POINT, BUT PERHAPS FORTIFYING IT WILL ALLOW FOR NEW APPLICATIONS TO BE SUBMITTED AS WELL.

>> AND A LOT OF TALK ABOUT A DREAM ACT.

>> UH-HUH.

>> AND A LOT OF THINKING THAT THE DREAMERS ARE PARTICULARLY -- PEOPLE ARE VERY FAVORABLE TO THEM, PARTICULARLY A SYMPATHETIC GROUP, AND THAT THERE MIGHT BE A WAY TO GET BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO PROVIDE A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP FOR THOSE WHO WERE BROUGHT HER AS CHILDREN AND ARE NOW PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> YES, I BELIEVE IT'S THE U.S.

CITIZENSHIP ACT OF 2021, AND ONE PIECE IS TO PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP TO UNAUTHORIZED MIGRANTS, AND DREAMERS HAVE A FAST TRACK WITHIN THAT LEGISLATION.

SO THE IDEA IS THAT MOST YESTERDAYS WHO WOULD QUALIFY WOULD GET TEMPORARY STATUS FOR FIVE YEARS, AND THEN GREEN CARD STATUS STATUS FOR THREE YEARS AND THEN NATIONALIZE.

AND IN THE HIGHLIGHT VERSION THAT THE WHITE HOUSE DISTRIBUTED TO THE PRESS IT JUST REFERRED TO THE TERM DREAMERS, SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT IS OPERATIONALIZED, AND IT WILL BE BROADER THAN INDIVIDUALS WHO CURRENTLY HAVE DACA.

>> AND THE LARGER SUBSET IS DREAMERS, AND THEN YOU HAVE THOSE DREAMERS WHO HAVE DACA STATUS.

YOU MENTIONED THE MUSLIM TRAVEL BAN, YOU MENTIONED THE PRESIDENT GETTING RID OF THAT.

THE PRESIDENT TAKING STEPS TO FORTIFY DACA.

HE HAS ALSO STOPPED WORK ON THE WALL.

ALL OF WHICH HAS LEAD TO CRITICISM BY PRESIDENT TRUMP'S IMMIGRATION ADVISOR STEVEN MILLER.

AND ISN'T THERE SOMETHING TO THAT, IN THE SENSE YOU HAVE MORE THAN 70 MILLION PEOPLE PRESUMABLY IN SUPPORT OF HIS IMMIGRATION POLICY.

>> YES, AND YOU ACTUALLY HAD MORE INDIVIDUALS VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BIDEN.

SO EVEN THOUGH DEMOCRATS HAVE THE MAJORITY IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE DIFFERENCES IN DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS MIGHT SHAPE WHAT THEY CAN SUPPORT IN A COMPREHENSIVE IMMIGRATION BILL.

SO EVEN THOUGH WHAT I JUST DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF THE OUTLINES OF THE BILL THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED.

THE BILL MIGHT LOOK SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT BECAUSE OF THOSE VARIATIONS AND THE POLITICS THAT WILL HAPPEN IN CONGRESS.

>> THE OTHER THING THE PRESIDENT DID IS HE TOOK A LOOK AT THE REMAINING MEXICO PLAN, WHICH HAD TO DO WITH PEOPLE SEEKING PROTECTIVE STATUS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND IN THE SAME VEIN, THERE'S CONCERN BY SOME, OPPONENTS OF IMMIGRATION, ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION CARAVANS.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT?

>> ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS THAT U.S.

CITIZENSHIP ACT OF 2021 STATES THAT ONLY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN PHYSICALLY PRESENT IN THE UNITED STATES AS OF JANUARY 21ST, 2021, WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.

SO THERE IS EFFORT TO SEND MESSAGES THAT ANY RECENT ARRIVALS WOULD NOT HAVE A PATHWAY TO CITIZENSHIP.

HOWEVER THOSE SEEKING ASYLUM, THE IDEA IS THAT PRESIDENT BIDEN IS GOING TO BE EVALUATING OUR APPROACH TO ASYLUM, AND LOOK FOR NEW APPROACHES, SO THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ASYLUM WOULD BE ABLE TO ADJUDICATE THOSE CLAIMS.

>> AND THOSE PEOPLE COULD PURSUE THAT STATUS WHILE PHYSICALLY IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WAS SENDING THEM INTO MEXICO AND MAKING THEM WAIT THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THERE WAS A LOT OF GRIDLOCK, AND THERE WERE ADDITIONAL POLICIES THAT WERE IMPLEMENTED POST COVID, SO THERE HAS JUST BEEN A LOT OF GRIDLOCK IN THAT SYSTEM RIGHT NOW.

AND THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS SAID ALSO IT IS GOING TO TAKE A WHILE TO UNWIND THAT TO PROVIDE BETTER POLICIES.

>> SPEAKING OF HOW LONG IT IS GOING TO TAKE TO GET ANY OF THIS DONE, WHAT IS YOUR PREDICTION.

>> I THINK I WOULD BE IN ANOTHER CAREER, IF I COULD ACCURATELY PREDICT THAT.

HOWEVER, I THINK IT WILL BE CHALLENGING TO GET THIS DONE WITHIN THE FIRST 100 DAYS.

CONGRESS HAS A LOT ON ITS PLATE, AND ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS TO SEE IS WHETHER OR NOT THE IMMIGRATION LEGISLATIONS WILL GET PRIORITY.

BUT I THINK WE'RE LOOKING BEYOND THE FIRST 100 DAYS.

>> THANKS FOR JOINING ME.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>>> THAT IS IT FOR NOW.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS OF ARIZONA PBS, ON CRONKITE NEWS HOW ONE NON-PROFIT USES FIRE TO KEEP ELDER ON THE NAVAJO NATION TO STAY WARM, AND ON BREAK IT DOWN, THE CHALLENGES WITH BEING THE FIRST.

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