The US President, who had promised during his run for the top office to forgive all undergraduate student loan debt from public colleges and universities, stressed the targeted nature of his proposals. Student loan relief and reform has risen to the fore of political agendas to become an emotional and financial debate in America, where 45 million people hold a total of US$1.6 trillion in student debt. Duke University assistant professor of public policy Mallory SoRelle said the Biden administration's decision was consistent with broad public support for student loan debt forgiveness.