Psaki talks immigration actions, China relations

U.S. President Joe Biden is expected to issue a series of immigration-related executive orders Tuesday amid the confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas as Homeland Security secretary.

The actions will include the formation of a task force to reunify families separated during the Trump administration, steps to restore the asylum system and review changes made to the immigration system during the Trump administration.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday the Biden White House is looking to put an immigration process in place "that is humane, that is moral, that considers applications for refugees...that treats people as human beings."

But she warned the process "is going to take some time. It's not going to happen overnight."

Biden's administration has deported hundreds of immigrants in its early days despite his campaign pledge to stop removing most people in the U.S. illegally at the beginning of his term.

Psaki warned anyone considering coming to the U.S. illegally to reconsider, saying, "it remains a dangerous trip."

"This is not the time to come to the United States. We need the time to put in place an immigration process so people can be treated humanely," she added.

Asked whether the Biden White House is considering any additional actions against Myanmar after its military power grab over the weekend, Psaki said the State Department has assessed the recent events to be "a coup," and she said sanctions are a "big tool that will certainly be assessed."

The press secretary was also asked why Biden has yet to schedule a conversation with China's President Xi Jinping.

Psaki said the U.S. strategy is to work first with partners and allies "to determine what the right time is" to talk with Beijing.

She said "of course the relationship with China is going to be multilayered," dealing with climate as well as economic and security concerns, and she called it a "priority for President Biden."