Hi, I'm Naomi Shaven.

Welcome to Axios Recap, where we cover one big story.

Today is Monday, December 20th, and we're focused on Biden's immigration conundrum.

As 2020 comes to an end, I've been talking to my Axios colleagues about the biggest stories and their beats and what they're watching heading into the new year.

Today, I'm joined by Steph Kite, who covers immigration policy.

Back on the campaign trail, President Biden made immigration a top priority.

And so there were high expectations that Biden would roll back many of President Trump's signature policies,

especially at the southern border, from building the wall to the zero-tolerance policy that separated and detained children.

But Biden's attempt at reform hasn't gone smoothly.

It's been stop and start much of this year, and that's left

immigration advocates disappointed. Meanwhile, politically, it's given Republicans plenty to run on

heading into next year's midterm elections. In a moment, Steph Kite will bring us up to speed

on exactly what the Biden administration has and has not done this year and how it's

playing out at the U.S. southern border.

We're joined now by Axios Politics Reporter covering Immigration and Demographics, Steph Kite.

Hi, Steph. Hi, Naomi. Let's start big picture. Could you describe the Biden administration's

stance on immigration in this first year of

his presidency? You know, that's kind of a complicated question, depending on who you're talking to.

Because in a lot of ways, when you talk to immigration advocates, they were very hopeful going

into the Biden administration. And they really do praise the Biden administration for having a more welcoming

tone towards immigrants, especially compared to the Trump administration. But on the other end,

there have been some pretty controversial policies that they have continued to enforce,

...