Donald Sutherland was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and one-of-a-kind actor who inspired and entertained the world for decades. My thoughts are with his family and all those who loved him.
On World Refugee Day, the United States reaffirms its commitment to the dignity and protection of refugees worldwide. Here at home, we’re proud to have rebuilt the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and will resettle more refugees this year than at any time in 30 years.
Thanks to my Administration's actions, the FBI has stopped hundreds of prohibited firearm sales for buyers under 21. And an estimated 20,000 unlicensed sellers are now required to get licensed and run background checks. Now, Congress must establish universal background checks.
My Administration is acting to streamline the process for obtaining legal status for immigrants married to U.S. citizens who have lived here for a decade or longer. Now, they can file their paperwork in the U.S. and work while they wait. This is about keeping families together.
Today, on Juneteenth, we celebrate all that is possible when we march forward together. May we all recommit to redeeming the very soul of America – choosing love over hate, unity over division, and progress over retreat.
We remember Willie Mays, a baseball legend and part of a long-line of Black patriots who have helped us see a better version of ourselves as Americans and as a nation. Jill and I send our love to the Mays family, his adoring fans, and all those he will continue to inspire with his one-of-a-kind legacy.
I was proud to have made Juneteenth a federal holiday – It was and will always be a testimony of and testament to the resilience of generations of Black Americans who led the march from slavery to freedom toward that more perfect union.
On June 19, 1865, freedom came for the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas. That day would become known as Juneteenth, the mark of the end of our original sin, slavery, and the beginning of our work to make the promise of America real – Not for some of us. But for all of us.
Today, I’m announcing new measures to speed up work visas to help people – including Dreamers – who've graduated from U.S. colleges and universities land jobs in high-demand high-skilled professions. It's good for business. It's good for the economy. It's good for America.
Border security is not a political issue to weaponize – it’s a responsibility we all share. So is immigration. I’m not interested in playing politics with either. I’m interested in fixing them.
Two weeks ago, I did what the Republicans in Congress refuse to do. I took action to secure our border. I restricted unlawful crossings and enabled quicker decisions on asylum – and since we implemented my order, border encounters have dropped about 25%.
Millions of Americans will experience severe heat this week, with some cities already seeing temperatures over 100. Check on your neighbors, listen to your local officials, and stay hydrated. Learn more at Heat.gov.
Today, I welcomed NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg ahead of next month's Washington Summit to discuss steps Allies are taking to support Ukraine, the executability of NATO’s defense plans, and a record 23 Allies reaching NATO’s defense spending threshold.