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EO 14013Executive OrderBiden · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 14013

Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration

ImmigrationImmigrationDefense & SecurityDefense & SecurityEnergy & EnvironmentEnergy & EnvironmentFederal WorkforceFederal Workforce

In simple terms

This executive order revokes Trump-era restrictions on refugee resettlement and directs a comprehensive rebuilding and expansion of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). It mandates multiple reviews and reports to streamline vetting, reduce backlogs, improve protections for vulnerable groups, and address Special Immigrant Visa delays for Iraqi and Afghan allies. It also orders the first-ever U.S. government report on climate change's impact on migration.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 8839

Record & deadlines

  1. Signed

    Signed by the President

  2. FR published

    Published in the Federal Register · 86 FR 8839

    Federal Register PDF

  3. SIV program review and report with recommendations

  4. SIV Chief of Mission approval procedures review results

  5. Report on additional populations at risk from service to U.S. and potential legislative SIV expansion

  6. SIV policies and procedures publicly available on agency websites; future revisions within 30 days of issuance

  7. USRAP current policies publicly available on websites; future revisions within 30 days of adoption

  8. Options for improving USRAP applicants' access to case file materials for appeals

  9. Report on climate change and its impact on migration

  10. Plan to expand community sponsorship and public-private partnerships for USRAP

  11. Plan to address USRAP processing backlogs with process improvement recommendations

  12. Report on agency actions under revoked directives with maintain/reverse/modify recommendations

  13. Security Advisory Opinion country/criteria review meeting

  14. Report on fraud detection measures and enhancement plan for USRAP

  15. Data submission to National Vetting Governance Board on refugee vetting staffing and thresholds

Key directives

  • Revoke EO 13815 and EO 13888 and March 6, 2017 Memorandum
  • Designate NSC Senior Director for USRAP coordination
  • Designate senior State Department official for refugee application processing
  • Designate senior DHS official for vetting and adjudication policy
  • Assign US Digital Service team to streamline processing and improve vetting
  • Expand hiring authorities for refugee adjudication positions
  • Develop plan to address USRAP backlogs and meet 8 U.S.C. 1571(b) processing times
  • Review and report on climate change and migration nexus
  • Improve SIV programs for Iraqi and Afghan allies
  • Expand community sponsorship models
  • Consider recognizing unmarried committed life partnerships for derivative refugee status

Who is ordered

Prior policyRollback

  • revokeExecutive Order 13815 of October 24, 2017 (Resuming the United States Refugee Admissions Program With Enhanced Vetting Capabilities)
  • revokeExecutive Order 13888 of September 26, 2019 (Enhancing State and Local Involvement in Refugee Resettlement)
  • revokePresidential Memorandum of March 6, 2017 (Implementing Immediate Heightened Screening and Vetting of Applications for Visas and Other Immigration Benefits, Ensuring Enforcement of All Laws for Entry Into the United States, and Increasing Transparency Among Departments and Agencies of the Federal Gov

Related orders

What to expect

Immediate

  • Revocation of EO 13815, EO 13888, and March 6, 2017 Presidential Memorandum
  • Designation of senior officials for USRAP coordination and oversight

Near term (90d)

  • Report on fraud detection measures and enhancement plan (30 days)
  • Data submission to National Vetting Governance Board on refugee vetting staffing and thresholds (30 days)
  • Security Advisory Opinion country/criteria review meeting (60 days)
  • Report on agency actions taken under revoked directives with recommendations (90 days)

Long term

  • SIV program reviews and reports (180 days)
  • USRAP policy transparency requirements (180 days)
  • Climate change and migration report (180 days)
  • Plan to expand community sponsorship and public-private partnerships (120 days)
  • Plan to address USRAP processing backlogs (120 days)
  • Implementation of vetting and adjudication reforms

Risks & tensions

  • Subject to availability of appropriations may limit implementation without Congressional funding
  • Processing time goals under 8 U.S.C. 1571(b) may conflict with enhanced security vetting requirements
  • State/local involvement revocation may face political pushback in some jurisdictions
  • Climate change migration report has no binding policy effect; implementation uncertain
  • Vague 'consider' and 'explore' language in many directives creates uncertainty about concrete actions
  • Expanding SIV eligibility to additional nationalities may require legislation not guaranteed
Executive Order 14013: Rebuilding and Enhancing Programs To Resettle Refugees and Planning for the Impact of Climate Change on Migration · Executive Orders