President Joe Biden has rescinded a ban that temporarily barred certain individuals from entering the U.S. as Immigrants.
Former President Donald Trump initially implemented the measure (Proclamation 10014) in April 2020, citing the COVID-19 pandemic. Biden revoked the suspension earlier this week, writing in a proclamation that the policy “does not advance the interests of the United States.”
“To the contrary, it harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here,” Biden wrote. “It also harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world.”
The Trump policy had impacted foreign nationals seeking to enter the U.S. for the first time as permanent residents. Biden also instructed the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Homeland Security to review “any regulations, orders, guidance documents, policies, and any other similar agency actions developed pursuant to Proclamation 10014 and, as appropriate, issue revised guidance consistent with the policy set forth in this proclamation.”
A similar Trump era ban suspending entry of certain H-1B (specialty occupation), L (intracompany transfer), H-2B (temporary worker) and some J (exchange visitor) visa holders remains in place.
The attorneys at Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm continue to monitor the situation closely and will alert clients as circumstances evolve.
Other immigration actions taken by Biden
Biden has issued multiple proclamations and executive orders related to immigration since he took office in late January.
During his first days in the White House, Biden signed a memorandum to “preserve and fortify” the DACA program and rescinded travel bans on foreign nationals seeking visas and entry to the United States from certain majority Muslim and African countries — one of the signature policies of the previous administration.
He also reinstituted certain COVID-19 related international travel restrictions and signed an executive order aimed at “restoring faith” in the U.S. immigration system.
Further, Biden and other top Democrats have formally proposed a comprehensive immigration bill that, if passed into law, could result in the most substantial legislative reform in decades.