Secretary of Homeland Security
Executive orders directing the Secretary of Homeland Security · 101 in Obama · 500 all terms.
Related departments
Orders
101 shown · Obama
Recognizing Positive Actions by the Government of Sudan and Providing for the Revocation of Certain Sudan-Related Sanctions
This executive order conditionally revokes certain U.S. sanctions against Sudan effective July 12, 2017, contingent on Sudan sustaining positive actions including reduced military activity, improved humanitarian access, and counterterrorism cooperation. It also assigns reporting and certification functions to the Secretaries of State and Treasury, and requires annual reviews of Sudan's continued compliance.
Amending Executive Order 11016 To Update Eligibility Criteria for Award of the Purple Heart
This executive order updates Purple Heart eligibility criteria to include attacks motivated by foreign terrorist organizations (post-9/11), friendly fire incidents during armed conflict, and clarifies that wounds must be severe enough to require treatment by a medical officer. It also explicitly excludes wounds or deaths resulting from a service member's willful misconduct.
Supporting New American Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families
This memorandum establishes an interagency working group to improve coordination among federal agencies in providing immigration, veterans, and military benefits to foreign-born and naturalized service members, veterans, and their families. The group must convene within 10 days, produce a 3-year strategic plan within 30 days, and a detailed implementation plan within 120 days.
Safeguarding the Nation From the Impacts of Invasive Species
This executive order updates and strengthens federal coordination on invasive species by amending Executive Order 13112. It maintains the National Invasive Species Council with expanded membership, adds new priorities including climate change and public health impacts, and mandates a new management plan with specific reporting requirements.
Establishing a Community Solutions Council
This executive order establishes a new Community Solutions Council to coordinate federal community investment programs across agencies, replacing two prior Obama-era councils. The Council is led by two Co-Chairs (one from the White House/OMB, one rotating among eight major agencies every four years) and includes 34+ members spanning nearly the entire Cabinet and key White House offices. It builds on existing place-based initiatives like Promise Zones and StrikeForce, with a mandate to foster interagency collaboration, scale evidence-based practices, and center locally led visions in federal policymaking.
Advancing the Global Health Security Agenda To Achieve a World Safe and Secure From Infectious Disease Threats
This executive order institutionalizes U.S. participation in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA), a multinational initiative to strengthen countries' abilities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious disease threats. It creates a new interagency council chaired by National Security Council staff, assigns specific roles to 13 agencies, and mandates reporting and external evaluation requirements through 2019.
Coordinating Efforts To Prepare the Nation for Space Weather Events
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to prepare for and mitigate space weather events such as solar flares and geomagnetic disturbances that threaten critical infrastructure including GPS, satellites, aviation, and the electrical power grid. It assigns specific roles to multiple agencies, creates a new NSTC subcommittee for coordination, and mandates several plans and assessments within 60-180 days to enhance forecasting, infrastructure protection, and emergency response capabilities.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in the National Security Workforce
This memorandum directs national security agencies to improve diversity and inclusion through data transparency, expanded demographic tracking, professional development programs, and leadership accountability measures. It requires annual public reporting on workforce demographics and inclusion metrics, with initial reports due within 90 days.
Delegation of Functions and Authorities Under the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act
This memorandum delegates to the Secretary of State the presidential functions and authorities granted by the Protect and Preserve International Cultural Property Act (P.L. 114-151). The Secretary of State must consult with the Secretaries of Homeland Security and Treasury, and other agency heads as appropriate, when exercising these delegated functions.
A Comprehensive Approach to Atrocity Prevention and Response
This executive order institutionalizes the Atrocities Prevention Board (APB) originally established by Presidential Study Directive-10 in 2012, formalizing its structure, membership, and operational protocols across national security agencies. It mandates interagency coordination on monitoring, early warning, deterrence, and response to mass atrocities and genocide, with specific requirements for intelligence collection, civilian capacity deployment, training, and annual reporting to the President and public.
Promoting Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
This memorandum establishes a Federal Interagency Reentry Council co-chaired by the Attorney General and the White House Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal efforts reducing recidivism and removing barriers to employment, housing, and reintegration for formerly incarcerated individuals. It directs agencies to review hiring and occupational licensing procedures to avoid automatic disqualification based on criminal records, and requires a federal strategic plan within 100 days.
Establishing the Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
This executive order establishes a new military campaign medal for U.S. Armed Forces members who served in Iraq, Syria, or surrounding areas beginning June 15, 2014. It allows eligible service members to receive this medal in lieu of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal for the same period, but prohibits receiving both medals for identical service.
Building National Capabilities for Long-Term Drought Resilience
This memorandum institutionalizes the National Drought Resilience Partnership (NDRP) as an interagency task force to coordinate federal drought resilience efforts. It directs agencies to take specific actions by December 31, 2016, across six goal areas including data integration, drought planning, critical infrastructure risk communication, federal coordination, market-based water approaches, and water efficiency technology. The NDRP is housed at USDA with co-chairs from Agriculture and rotating Commerce leadership, and must produce a charter within 90 days and an initial progress report within 150 days.
Developing an Integrated Global Engagement Center To Support Government-wide Counterterrorism Communications Activities Directed Abroad and Revoking Executive Order 13584
This executive order establishes the Global Engagement Center (GEC) within the State Department to coordinate U.S. government communications aimed at foreign audiences to counter terrorist messaging from ISIL, al-Qa'ida, and other violent extremists. It replaces the temporary organization created by Executive Order 13584 with a permanent center supported by a temporary coordination office (GECCO) and an interagency steering committee.
Modifying and Continuing the National Emergency With Respect to Cuba and Continuing To Authorize the Regulation of the Anchorage and Movement of Vessels
This proclamation modifies and continues the national emergency with respect to Cuba originally declared in 1996, updating its rationale to reflect the 2015 diplomatic normalization while maintaining authority to regulate vessel movements that could facilitate unauthorized migration. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue rules governing anchorage and movement of vessels potentially bound for Cuban waters, with inspection and seizure powers.
Promoting Smart Gun Technology
This memorandum directs the Departments of Defense, Justice, and Homeland Security to research and promote 'smart gun' technology—such as fingerprint-activated firearms—to reduce accidental shootings and unauthorized use. It requires a joint report within 90 days on a research and development strategy, and instructs departments to consider whether such technology should be included in federal firearm acquisition specifications.
Strengthening the Senior Executive Service
This executive order reforms the Senior Executive Service (SES) by creating a PMC Subcommittee to oversee changes including: capping performance award spending at 7.5%, streamlining hiring processes, requiring SES pay to exceed subordinate GS employees, establishing a 15% rotation goal for SES members, and phasing in talent management and succession planning across all agencies by FY 2018.
Delegation of Authority for Drafting and Submission of the International Trade Data System Annual Report to the Congress
This memorandum delegates to the Secretary of Homeland Security the President's statutory obligation under the SAFE Port Act of 2006 to draft and submit the annual International Trade Data System report to Congress. It is a routine administrative delegation of a reporting function with no new policy directives.
Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities Under Section 213(b)(1) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012
This memorandum delegates presidential authority under Section 213(b)(1) of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Secretary of State, requiring consultation with multiple other cabinet members and agency heads. It rescinds the 2012 delegation to Treasury while leaving other provisions of that earlier memorandum intact.
Continuance or Reestablishment of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order continues or reestablishes 40 federal advisory committees until September 30, 2017, transferring FACA compliance responsibilities to designated agency heads and updating administrative oversight for the National Industrial Security Program Policy Advisory Committee.
Implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States for 2015-2020
This executive order implements the updated 2015-2020 National HIV/AIDS Strategy, directing federal agencies to develop action plans, coordinate efforts, and report progress on reducing HIV infections, improving care access, and addressing disparities. It establishes a Federal Interagency Working Group and assigns specific responsibilities to lead agencies including HHS, Defense, Justice, and others.
Creating a National Strategic Computing Initiative
This executive order establishes the National Strategic Computing Initiative (NSCI), a coordinated federal strategy to advance U.S. leadership in high-performance computing (HPC) through 2030. It designates lead agencies (DOE, DOD, NSF), foundational R&D agencies (IARPA, NIST), and deployment agencies to pursue exascale computing, post-semiconductor technologies, and public-private collaboration in HPC research and deployment.
Delegation of Certain Authorities and Assignment of Certain Functions Under the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015
This executive order delegates presidential authorities and assigns functions under the 2015 Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) law to specific officials, primarily the U.S. Trade Representative, while reserving certain authorities to the President. It establishes interagency processes for environmental reviews, employment impact assessments, labor rights reports, and implementation planning for trade agreements.
Establishment of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center
This memorandum directs the Director of National Intelligence to establish the Cyber Threat Intelligence Integration Center (CTIIC), a new intelligence organization to coordinate analysis and sharing of foreign cyber threat intelligence across federal agencies. The CTIIC is tasked with integrating all-source analysis, supporting existing cyber centers, developing intelligence sharing capabilities, and coordinating interagency responses to foreign cyber threats, with a goal of reaching full operating capability by the end of fiscal year 2016.
Promoting Private Sector Cybersecurity Information Sharing
This executive order encourages voluntary formation of Information Sharing and Analysis Organizations (ISAOs) to enable private sector cybersecurity information sharing with the federal government. It establishes a standards-setting process for ISAOs, designates DHS's NCCIC as a critical infrastructure protection program, and amends the National Industrial Security Program to facilitate classified information sharing with private sector partners under voluntary agreements.
Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic
This executive order establishes an Arctic Executive Steering Committee to coordinate federal Arctic policy across agencies during the U.S. chairmanship of the Arctic Council. It mandates improved interagency coordination, tribal consultation with Alaska Native governments, and a report identifying overlaps and gaps in Arctic policy implementation.
Expanding Federal Support for Predevelopment Activities for Nonfederal Domestic Infrastructure Assets
This memorandum directs federal agencies to expand support for predevelopment activities—such as planning, feasibility studies, and environmental review—for nonfederal domestic infrastructure projects. It requires specific departments to clarify funding eligibility, develop guidance, and submit implementation plans within 60 days to encourage public-private partnerships and innovative infrastructure investment.
Federal Support for Local Law Enforcement Equipment Acquisition
This executive order creates an interagency working group to review and standardize federal programs that provide military-style equipment to state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. The group must develop recommendations for controlled equipment lists, training requirements, civil rights compliance, and oversight mechanisms, with initial reports due in 60 days and final recommendations in 120 days.
Creating Welcoming Communities and Fully Integrating Immigrants and Refugees
This memorandum establishes the White House Task Force on New Americans, co-chaired by the Director of the Domestic Policy Council and the Secretary of Homeland Security, to develop a coordinated federal strategy for integrating immigrants and refugees into American communities. The Task Force must submit an Integration Plan within 120 days and a status report within one year, with responsibilities including reviewing agency policies, disseminating best practices, and measuring equitable access to services.
Modernizing and Streamlining the U.S. Immigrant Visa System for the 21st Century
This November 2014 presidential memorandum directs the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to develop, within 120 days, recommendations for modernizing and streamlining the U.S. legal immigration and visa system. The recommendations must address reducing government costs, improving applicant services, reducing employer burdens, ensuring full use of congressionally authorized visa numbers, and modernizing IT infrastructure, with input from diverse stakeholders.
Improving the Security of Consumer Financial Transactions
This executive order mandates federal agencies adopt chip-and-PIN technology for government payment cards and terminals by early 2015, streamlines identity theft victim remediation through a centralized FTC website, and requires multi-factor authentication for federal digital services within 18 months.
Ordering the Selected Reserve and Certain Individual Ready Reserve Members of the Armed Forces to Active Duty
This executive order authorizes the mobilization of Selected Reserve and certain Individual Ready Reserve members to active duty to support Operation United Assistance, the U.S. military's humanitarian response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The order delegates authority to the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security (for Coast Guard) to activate reserve units and essential individual members, and to later terminate their active service.
Deepening U.S. Government Efforts To Collaborate With and Strengthen Civil Society
This 2014 presidential memorandum directs federal agencies engaged in foreign policy to strengthen collaboration with civil society organizations worldwide, oppose undue restrictions on civic freedoms, and integrate civil society consultation into U.S. diplomatic engagement. It requires annual reporting to the President on implementation progress.
Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria
This executive order establishes a government-wide framework to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria by creating an interagency task force, a presidential advisory council, and mandating specific actions including antibiotic stewardship programs in healthcare facilities, strengthened surveillance systems, promotion of new drug development, and international cooperation. It sets concrete deadlines for a national action plan and regulatory reviews to address what the CDC identified as at least 23,000 annual U.S. deaths from resistant infections.
Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America's Businesses
This executive order directs federal agencies to modernize U.S. trade processing by completing the International Trade Data System (ITDS)—a "single window" for electronic submission of import/export data—by December 31, 2016. It establishes the Border Interagency Executive Council (BIEC) to coordinate cross-agency border management, streamline regulatory requirements, and improve supply chain efficiency while maintaining security and public health protections.
Establishing a Quadrennial Energy Review
This memorandum establishes a Quadrennial Energy Review Task Force co-chaired by the OSTP and Domestic Policy Council directors to produce a comprehensive energy policy review every four years, with the first report due January 31, 2015 focusing on U.S. energy infrastructure challenges. The Task Force includes representatives from 23 agencies and is directed to engage stakeholders and recommend executive and legislative actions.
Preparing the United States for the Impacts of Climate Change
This executive order directs federal agencies to integrate climate change preparedness and resilience into their operations, programs, and investments. It establishes a new interagency Council on Climate Preparedness and Resilience, creates a State, Local, and Tribal Leaders Task Force, mandates updated Agency Adaptation Plans, and requires modernization of federal programs to remove barriers to climate-resilient investment.
Continuance Of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order extends 26 federal advisory committees until September 30, 2015, and makes technical amendments to several prior executive orders governing the National Infrastructure Advisory Council, President's Management Advisory Board, President's Global Development Council, and President's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It also delegates presidential functions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to designated agency heads.
Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security
This executive order establishes an interagency working group to improve coordination among federal agencies, state/local/tribal partners, and private industry on chemical facility safety and security. It mandates multiple assessments, pilot programs, and regulatory reviews to modernize risk management practices, enhance information sharing, and reduce duplicative reporting requirements following chemical facility tragedies.
Expanding National Service Through Partnerships to Advance Government Priorities
This memorandum establishes an interagency Task Force on Expanding National Service, co-chaired by the CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) and the Director of the Domestic Policy Council. It directs federal agencies to develop partnerships with CNCS to expand national service and volunteer opportunities aligned with the six focus areas of the Serve America Act, and requires specific reports and guidance within set timeframes.
Combating Wildlife Trafficking
This executive order establishes a Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking co-chaired by the State Department, Interior Department, and Attorney General to develop a national strategy against wildlife trafficking. It also creates an Advisory Council of non-governmental experts to advise the Task Force, with specific deadlines for initial meetings, strategy production, and council establishment.
Establishing the White House Council on Native American Affairs
This executive order creates the White House Council on Native American Affairs, chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, to coordinate federal policy across 30+ agencies to support tribal self-governance and improve quality of life for Native Americans. It establishes a formal structure for interagency coordination on economic development, healthcare, education, justice, and environmental protection while mandating three annual meetings.
Delegation of Certain Functions and Authorities Under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012
This memorandum delegates specific functions and authorities under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 (IFCA) and amended provisions of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (CISADA) from the President to various cabinet secretaries and agency heads, primarily the Secretaries of Treasury and State, with detailed consultation requirements for imposing and implementing sanctions against Iran.
Authorizing the Implementation of Certain Sanctions Set Forth in the Iran Freedom and Counter- Proliferation Act of 2012 and Additional Sanctions With Respect To Iran
This executive order authorizes sanctions against foreign financial institutions and persons that conduct significant transactions related to Iranian currency, support designated Iranian persons, or supply goods and services to Iran's automotive sector. It implements provisions of the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2012 and expands existing sanctions authorities, with the order taking effect on July 1, 2013.
Modernizing Federal Infrastructure Review and Permitting Regulations, Policies, and Procedures
This memorandum directs federal agencies to modernize infrastructure permitting and review regulations to cut aggregate timelines for major projects in half while improving environmental and community outcomes. It mandates a 60-day prioritization effort and 120-day comprehensive modernization plan by an interagency steering committee, building on Executive Order 13604 reforms.
Establishment of the San Juan Islands National Monument
President Obama established the San Juan Islands National Monument under the Antiquities Act, withdrawing approximately 970 acres of BLM-administered federal lands in Washington State's Puget Sound from development, mining, and mineral leasing. The proclamation mandates BLM management through the National Landscape Conservation System, requires a management plan and advisory committee, restricts motorized vehicle use to designated roads, and protects tribal cultural and religious sites.
Amendments to Executive Order 12777
This executive order re-delegates authority for adjusting oil spill liability limits under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990. It assigns specific responsibilities to different cabinet secretaries based on facility type—Coast Guard department for vessels and marine facilities, EPA Administrator for non-transportation onshore facilities, Transportation Secretary for non-marine transportation facilities, and Interior Secretary for offshore facilities—each with CPI adjustment authority and congressional reporting duties.
Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
This executive order establishes a voluntary, public-private partnership framework to strengthen cybersecurity protections for U.S. critical infrastructure. It directs federal agencies to improve cyber threat information sharing with private sector entities, mandates development of a Cybersecurity Framework by NIST, creates a voluntary adoption program, and requires identification of the most at-risk critical infrastructure systems.
Improving Availability of Relevant Executive Branch Records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System
This memorandum directs federal agencies to improve sharing of relevant records with the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) to prevent prohibited individuals from obtaining firearms. It establishes deadlines for DOJ guidance, agency reporting, and creates a working group to coordinate implementation of the 2007 NICS Improvement Amendments Act.
Establishing the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding Task Force
This executive order establishes a cabinet-level task force chaired by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate long-term rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Sandy. The task force is required to produce a comprehensive rebuilding strategy within 180 days of its first meeting, after which it will terminate 60 days later.
Establishment of an Interagency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy
This executive order creates an Interagency Task Force on Commercial Advocacy, chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, to coordinate federal support for U.S. businesses competing for international contracts against foreign firms. The Task Force brings together 15 agencies to prioritize advocacy cases, coordinate senior-level engagement with foreign officials, raise business awareness of available services, and report progress every 180 days.
Establishing the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council
This executive order creates the White House Homeland Security Partnership Council and its Steering Committee to institutionalize collaboration between federal field offices and local partners—including state/local/tribal governments, private sector, and nonprofits—to address homeland security challenges ranging from disaster response to terrorism prevention. The Council advises on priorities, promotes best practices, and convenes annually, while the Steering Committee sets its scope, selects members, and reports to the President yearly.
Strengthening Protections Against Trafficking in Persons in Federal Contracts
This executive order strengthens anti-trafficking rules for federal contractors and subcontractors by amending procurement regulations. It prohibits specific trafficking-related activities like fraudulent recruitment, charging recruitment fees, and confiscating identity documents; requires compliance plans for large overseas contracts; and mandates training and interagency coordination to enforce zero-tolerance policies.
Improving Access to Mental Health Services for Veterans, Service Members, and Military Families
This executive order directs multiple federal agencies to expand mental health services for veterans, service members, and military families through suicide prevention programs, community provider partnerships, increased staffing, and a national research action plan on PTSD and traumatic brain injury. It establishes an interagency task force to coordinate implementation and requires specific deliverables including expanded crisis line capacity, pilot projects with community providers, and hiring of 800 peer counselors and 1,600 mental health professionals.
Preventing and Responding to Violence Against Women and Girls Globally
This executive order establishes a multi-year U.S. government strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence globally, creating an Interagency Working Group co-chaired by the Secretary of State and USAID Administrator. It mandates coordination across multiple federal agencies, integration of anti-violence programming into existing foreign policy and assistance efforts, improved data collection and research, and periodic reporting with benchmarks, progress reports, and eventual strategy revision.
Assignment of National Security and Emergency Preparedness Communications Functions
This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework for national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) communications, creating an interagency Executive Committee co-chaired by Defense and Homeland Security to coordinate survivable, resilient federal communications under all circumstances. It assigns specific responsibilities across multiple departments, revokes the prior Executive Order 12472 (1984), and mandates a 60-day organizational plan from Homeland Security.
Accelerating Broadband Infrastructure Deployment
This executive order establishes a federal working group and mandates coordinated procedures to accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment on federal lands, buildings, and rights of way, with special attention to tribal lands and underserved communities. It requires agencies to develop uniform contract templates, improve permitting efficiency, and implement 'dig once' policies for highway construction projects.
Establishing Policies for Addressing Domestic Violence in the Federal Workforce
This memorandum directs federal agencies to develop policies addressing domestic violence in the federal workforce. It requires OPM to issue government-wide guidance within 240 days, and agencies to create or update their own policies within specific timelines after that guidance is issued.
Supporting Safe and Responsible Development of Unconventional Domestic Natural Gas Resources
This executive order creates an interagency working group chaired by the Domestic Policy Council Director to coordinate federal agency efforts supporting safe and responsible development of unconventional domestic natural gas resources, such as shale gas. It aims to streamline policy coordination across 13+ agencies while maintaining environmental and public health safeguards.
Establishing a Working Group on the Intersection of HIV/AIDS, Violence Against Women and Girls, and Gender-related Health Disparities
This memorandum establishes a White House Working Group co-chaired by the Advisor on Violence Against Women and the Director of National AIDS Policy to coordinate federal efforts addressing the intersection of HIV/AIDS, violence against women and girls, and gender-related health disparities. The group must convene within 60 days and includes representatives from eight agencies plus advisory roles for State, USAID, and PEPFAR.
Improving Performance of Federal Permitting and Review of Infrastructure Projects
This executive order creates a Steering Committee to streamline federal permitting and review processes for infrastructure projects, requiring agencies to develop performance plans with measurable timelines and track progress on a public dashboard. It mandates coordination across federal agencies, state/local/tribal governments, and stakeholders to reduce decision times while maintaining environmental and community protections.
National Defense Resources Preparedness
This executive order delegates authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to various cabinet secretaries for prioritizing and allocating resources (food, energy, health, transportation, water, and other materials) in support of national defense. It establishes frameworks for loan guarantees, industrial base expansion, voluntary agreements, a National Defense Executive Reserve, and labor coordination during emergencies, while revoking and replacing Executive Order 12919 from 1994.
Establishing a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities
This executive order establishes a White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) within HUD to coordinate federal technical assistance to local communities, helping them compete for federal resources and develop economic strategies. The Council is co-chaired by the HUD Secretary and the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy, with broad membership across federal agencies.
Delegation of Waiver Authority Under Section 1022(a)(4) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012
This memorandum delegates to the Attorney General the President's authority under Section 1022(a)(4) of the FY2012 NDAA to waive certain requirements of the Act, specifically the military custody requirement for detainees. The Attorney General must exercise this authority in consultation with senior national security officials including the Secretaries of State, Defense, and Homeland Security, the DNI, CIA Director, FBI Director, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Establishment of the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center
This executive order creates the Interagency Trade Enforcement Center (ITEC) within the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative to coordinate enforcement of U.S. trade rights under international agreements and domestic trade laws across multiple federal agencies. The Center brings together personnel from State, Treasury, Justice, Agriculture, Commerce, Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies to identify foreign trade barriers and unfair practices.
Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing Goals and the Task Force On Travel and Competitiveness
This executive order establishes visa processing targets to boost U.S. travel and tourism, including a 40% capacity increase in China and Brazil and 80% of applicants interviewed within 3 weeks. It also creates a Task Force on Travel and Competitiveness to develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy within 90 days.
Establishment of the Fort Monroe National Monument
President Obama used the Antiquities Act to designate approximately 325 acres at Fort Monroe, Virginia as a national monument, withdrawing federal lands from development and directing the Secretaries of the Army and Interior to negotiate a transfer of management to the National Park Service. The proclamation also requires a management plan within 3 years and preserves Coast Guard control of the Old Point Comfort Lighthouse while allowing National Park Service interpretation.
Structural Reforms To Improve the Security of Classified Networks and the Responsible Sharing and Safeguarding of Classified Information
This executive order establishes a comprehensive framework for securing classified computer networks across the federal government following WikiLeaks disclosures. It creates new interagency bodies to coordinate policies, designates the NSA and Defense Secretary as technical standards authorities, mandates insider threat programs at all agencies, and requires binding minimum standards for detecting and preventing unauthorized disclosures.
Developing an Integrated Strategic Counterterrorism Communications Initiative and Establishing a Temporary Organization to Support Certain Government-wide Communications Activities Directed Abroad
This executive order establishes a Center for Strategic Counterterrorism Communications within the State Department to coordinate U.S. government-wide counterterrorism messaging abroad, and creates a temporary Counterterrorism Communications Support Office to provide research and campaign support. Both entities focus on countering al-Qa'ida and violent extremist ideologies through strategic communications to foreign audiences.
Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Who Participate in Serious Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Violations and Other Abuses
This proclamation suspends entry into the United States of immigrants and nonimmigrants who have participated in serious human rights violations, war crimes, crimes against humanity, or systematic violence against civilians based on protected characteristics. The Secretary of State has sole discretion to identify covered persons and implement the suspension in consultation with the Secretary of Homeland Security, with exceptions for foreign relations interests and case-by-case determinations of U.S. interest.
Suspension of Entry of Aliens Subject to United Nations Security Council Travel Bans and International Emergency Economic Powers Act Sanctions
This proclamation suspends entry into the United States, as immigrants or nonimmigrants, of aliens subject to UN Security Council travel bans and aliens whose property is blocked under IEEPA sanctions. The Secretary of State has sole discretion to identify covered persons, with implementation procedures developed in consultation with Treasury and Homeland Security.
Interagency Working Group on Coordination of Domestic Energy Development and Permitting in Alaska
This executive order establishes an interagency working group led by the Department of the Interior to coordinate federal permitting and environmental review processes for oil and gas development in Alaska, both onshore and offshore. The group brings together deputy-level officials from multiple agencies to streamline decision-making while maintaining health, safety, and environmental standards.
Establishment of the SelectUSA Initiative
This executive order establishes SelectUSA, a Department of Commerce-based initiative to coordinate federal efforts to attract and retain domestic and foreign business investment in the United States. It creates a Federal Interagency Investment Working Group spanning nearly every cabinet department and major economic agency to promote the U.S. as a business location, serve as an investment ombudsman, and provide information to investors.
Establishment of the White House Rural Council
This executive order creates the White House Rural Council, chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture and comprising 25 federal agencies, to coordinate federal policy and investment in rural communities. The Council is tasked with streamlining federal spending, improving economic opportunities, and enhancing quality of life in rural America through better interagency collaboration.
Periodic Review of Individuals Detained at Guantánamo Bay Naval Station Pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force
This executive order establishes a Periodic Review Board (PRB) process to evaluate whether Guantánamo detainees designated for continued law of war detention still pose a significant threat to U.S. security. It mandates initial reviews within one year, subsequent full reviews every three years, and interim file reviews every six months, while explicitly preserving existing detention authority and habeas corpus rights without creating new legal grounds for release into the United States.
Establishment of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committees
This executive order establishes two interagency advisory committees—the Senior Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee and the Intellectual Property Enforcement Advisory Committee—to coordinate federal intellectual property enforcement efforts. Both committees are chaired by the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator and are tasked with developing triennial Joint Strategic Plans required under the PRO IP Act of 2008.
Fundamental Principles and Policymaking Criteria for Partnerships With Faith-Based and Other Neighborhood Organizations
This executive order amends Executive Order 13279 to establish constitutional and operational principles for federal partnerships with faith-based and neighborhood organizations. It mandates equal treatment of faith-based providers in federal social service funding while prohibiting religious discrimination against beneficiaries and requiring separation of explicitly religious activities from federally funded programs. The order creates an Interagency Working Group to ensure uniform implementation across agencies and requires a report within 120 days on model regulations and guidance.
Export Enforcement Coordination Center
This executive order establishes an interagency Export Enforcement Coordination Center within the Department of Homeland Security to improve coordination among federal agencies in enforcing U.S. export control laws. The Center serves as a forum for resolving enforcement conflicts, facilitates intelligence sharing between law enforcement and intelligence agencies, and tracks export control violations government-wide.
Blocking Property of Certain Persons With Respect to Serious Human Rights Abuses by the Government of Iran and Taking Certain Other Actions
This executive order blocks the property of Iranian officials and entities responsible for serious human rights abuses since June 12, 2009, and imposes related visa sanctions. It delegates implementation authority to the Secretaries of Treasury and State under existing statutory frameworks including IEEPA and CISADA.
Classified National Security Information Program for State, Local, Tribal, and Private Sector Entities
This executive order establishes a formal program for sharing classified national security information with state, local, tribal, and private sector entities involved in critical infrastructure protection. It sets security standards for access and safeguarding, designates Homeland Security as the executive agent, and creates an advisory committee to resolve policy disputes and facilitate information sharing.
Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes
This executive order establishes a National Ocean Council to coordinate federal stewardship of oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes, implementing recommendations from the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force. It creates a framework for coastal and marine spatial planning to manage competing uses of marine environments while promoting ecosystem-based conservation. The order directs executive agencies to align their decisions with national ocean policy priorities and to participate in regional planning processes.
Optimizing the Security of Biological Select Agents and Toxins in the United States
This executive order directs a risk-based overhaul of how the U.S. regulates dangerous biological agents and toxins (BSAT). It mandates creating a highest-risk "Tier 1" subset of pathogens, revising security regulations, coordinating federal oversight across multiple agencies, and establishing an advisory panel to guide implementation.
Unleashing the Wireless Broadband Revolution
This memorandum directs federal agencies to free up 500 MHz of spectrum over 10 years for wireless broadband use, with the Commerce Department and NTIA leading coordination with the FCC. It mandates a Plan and Timetable by October 1, 2010, establishes an interagency steering group, and requires research into spectrum-sharing technologies, with progress reporting to the National Economic Council, OMB, and OSTP.
Establishing the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council
This executive order establishes the National Prevention, Health Promotion, and Public Health Council within HHS, chaired by the Surgeon General, to coordinate federal prevention and wellness efforts. It mandates development of a national health strategy and requires annual reports to Congress through 2015 on progress toward disease prevention goals.
Designating the Chairperson of the Defense Production Act Committee
This memorandum establishes the Secretary of Homeland Security and Secretary of Defense as rotating annual chairpersons of the Defense Production Act Committee, with DHS serving first. It directs the two secretaries to formalize funding and administrative support through an interagency agreement and instructs the Chairperson to invite all Committee members to meetings and ensure statutory reporting requirements are fulfilled.
Establishing an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses
This memorandum creates an Interagency Task Force on Federal Contracting Opportunities for Small Businesses, co-chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, OMB Director, and SBA Administrator. The Task Force must deliver proposals within 120 days to increase small business contracting, and a website for transparency must be developed within 90 days to track small business participation in federal procurement.
Ordering the Selected Reserve and Certain Individual Ready Reserve Members of the Armed Forces to Active Duty
This executive order authorizes mobilization of Selected Reserve and certain Individual Ready Reserve members to active duty to support Haiti earthquake relief operations following the January 12, 2010 earthquake. It delegates activation authority to the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of Homeland Security (for Coast Guard) without specifying unit numbers or duration limits.
Establishment of the Council of Governors
This executive order creates a 10-member Council of Governors appointed by the President to advise federal officials on National Guard matters, homeland defense, civil support, and coordination between state and federal military activities. The bipartisan council, co-chaired by two governors from different parties, reports to the Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security and other national security officials.
Establishing Federal Capability for the Timely Provision of Medical Countermeasures Following a Biological Attack
This executive order directs federal agencies to establish capabilities for rapidly delivering medical countermeasures to Americans following a biological attack. It mandates creation of a U.S. Postal Service-based dispensing model, a federal rapid response system, and continuity plans to ensure mission-essential government functions continue during such an emergency.
Original Classification Authority
This presidential order designates specific Executive Office and agency officials with authority to originally classify information as 'Top Secret' or 'Secret' under Executive Order 13526 on classified national security information. It revokes prior classification designations while preserving certain delegations made under the previous executive order regime.
Employment of Veterans in the Federal Government
This executive order establishes a government-wide initiative to increase veteran hiring in the federal workforce by creating an interagency Council on Veterans Employment, requiring agencies to develop operational plans and designate veterans employment offices, and mandating training for HR personnel and hiring managers on veterans' preferences and special hiring authorities.
Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance
This executive order mandates federal agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve energy and water efficiency, eliminate waste, and adopt sustainable practices in buildings, fleets, and procurement. It establishes a comprehensive framework with specific reduction targets, reporting requirements, and oversight mechanisms through the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Management and Budget.
Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
This executive order continues 15 federal advisory committees for two years until September 30, 2011, superseding a prior Bush administration order. It also delegates presidential functions under the Federal Advisory Committee Act to the heads of designated departments and agencies.
Assignment of Function Under Section 601 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
This memorandum delegates the President's function under Section 601 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to the Secretary of Homeland Security. It is a routine administrative assignment of authority with no substantive policy changes.
Classified Information and Controlled Unclassified Information
This memorandum directs two major reviews: first, a 90-day review of Executive Order 12958 on classified national security information to recommend reforms including a National Declassification Center and measures against over-classification; second, creation of an Interagency Task Force on Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) led by the Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to review procedures for sensitive but unclassified information and report recommendations within 90 days. Both initiatives aim to increase government transparency while protecting legitimate security and privacy interests.
Chesapeake Bay Protection and Restoration
This executive order establishes a coordinated federal framework to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. It creates a Federal Leadership Committee led by the EPA, mandates multiple agency reports on pollution control, agricultural practices, climate adaptation, and public access, and requires an annual action plan starting in 2010.
Establishment of the Interagency Committee on Trade in Timber Products from Peru and Assignment of Function under Section 501 of the United States-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act
This memorandum establishes an Interagency Committee on Trade in Timber Products from Peru to oversee implementation of Annex 18.3.4 of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, assigns a presidential function to the USTR, and directs several Cabinet secretaries to issue implementing regulations. The committee had a statutory deadline of 90 days after the Agreement's February 1, 2009 entry into force, making the establishment deadline May 2, 2009.
Establishing a White House Council on Women And Girls
This executive order creates a White House Council on Women and Girls to coordinate federal policy across agencies on issues affecting women and girls, including pay equity, healthcare access, educational opportunity, and workforce participation. The Council is advisory, composed of Cabinet secretaries and senior officials, and must submit an interagency plan within 150 days.
Ensuring Lawful Interrogations
This executive order revoked the prior Bush-era interrogation framework, mandating that all U.S. government interrogations in armed conflicts comply with the Army Field Manual and Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions. It ordered closure of CIA detention facilities, required Red Cross access to detainees, and established an interagency task force to review interrogation and transfer policies.
Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained At the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Closure of Detention Facilities
This executive orders the closure of the Guantánamo Bay detention facilities within one year and mandates an immediate, comprehensive interagency review of all detainees to determine whether they should be transferred, released, prosecuted in federal court, or handled through other lawful means. It also halts all military commission proceedings during the review period and requires detention conditions to comply with Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions.
Review of Detention Policy Options
This executive order establishes a Special Interagency Task Force on Detainee Disposition, co-chaired by the Attorney General and Secretary of Defense, to review lawful options for handling individuals captured in armed conflicts and counterterrorism operations. The task force must report to the President within 180 days on detention, trial, transfer, release, and other disposition alternatives consistent with national security interests and justice.