Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States

This proclamation revokes the Trump administration's travel ban executive orders and proclamations (EO 13780, Proclamations 9645, 9723, and 9983) that restricted entry from primarily Muslim and African countries. It directs the resumption of visa processing, requires reports on clearing backlogs and strengthening vetting partnerships, and mandates reviews of screening procedures and information-sharing practices.

Federal Register Open PDF 86 FR 7005

Impact dates

May 20, 2021
Secretary of State and DHS report on screening/vetting procedures, information-sharing review, and recommendations
Mar 6, 2021
Secretary of State report on waiver backlog, expedited adjudication plan, and reconsideration proposal for denied applications

Key directives

Revoke EO 13780 and Proclamations 9645, 9723, and 9983
Secretary of State shall direct Embassies and Consulates to resume visa processing consistent with revocation
Secretary of State shall provide report within 45 days on waiver backlog, plan for expedited adjudication, and proposal for reconsideration of denied applications
Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security shall provide report within 120 days on screening/vetting procedures, information-sharing review, and recommendations
Report shall include evaluation of form DS-5535 usefulness
Report shall assess whether social media identifier use has meaningfully improved screening and vetting

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Revocation of EO 13780 and Proclamations 9645, 9723, 9983 takes effect
Embassies and Consulates directed to resume visa processing consistent with revocation

Near term (90d)

Secretary of State report due within 45 days on waiver backlog and reconsideration of denied applications
Secretary of State and DHS report due within 120 days on screening/vetting review and information-sharing partnerships

Long term

Potential reopening or reconsideration of thousands of previously denied immigrant visa applications
Possible restructuring of international information-sharing and identity-management practices
Reassessment of social media identifier use in vetting

Risks & tensions

Resumption of visa processing subject to COVID-19-related restrictions, creating potential implementation friction
Proposal to reconsider denied applications may require additional fees, creating tension between remedying past discrimination and fiscal constraints
120-day review of information-sharing may reveal gaps that complicate full policy reversal
Assessment of social media vetting (DS-5535) could conflict with civil liberties concerns if retained
Vague 'subject to availability of appropriations' clause may limit implementation if Congress does not fund expanded processing