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EO 12313Executive OrderReagan · R

Executive Order 12313

Specification of hostage return date under Hostage Relief Act of 1980

This executive order designates January 21, 1981, as the official date when all U.S. citizens and resident aliens held captive during the Iran embassy seizure were returned or accounted for, for purposes of implementing the Hostage Relief Act of 1980. The order triggers statutory benefits and protections for the former hostages and their families.

46 FR 36689
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Impact dates

  1. Specified date of return/accounting for all hostages (retroactive statutory trigger)

Key directives

  • Specify January 21, 1981 as the date all U.S. captives from Iran embassy seizure were returned or accounted for
  • Activate sections 101(2)(A) and 205(b)(1) of Hostage Relief Act of 1980

Timeline

Immediate

  • January 21, 1981 established as statutory return date
  • Triggers Hostage Act sections 101(2)(A) and 205(b)(1)

Near term (90d)

  • Federal agencies process benefit claims under specified date

Long term

  • Final administrative resolution of hostage-related claims and benefits

Risks & tensions

  • Order specifies a date that had already passed (6 months prior to signing), creating retroactive legal effect
  • No textual ambiguity: date is explicit and statute is clearly cited
Executive Order 12313: Specification of hostage return date under Hostage Relief Act of 1980 · Executive Orders