On Wednesday, January 20, 2021, his first day in office, President Biden signed a “Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States” to revoke what has been commonly referred to as the Muslim travel ban, which restricted entry into the United States from primarily Muslim and African countries. Former President Trump had faced numerous legal challenges in enacting his Muslim travel ban but the third version of the ban was upheld by the Supreme court in June 2018. Specifically, President Biden revoked former President Trump’s Executive Order 13780 of March 6, 2017, Proclamation 9645 of September 24, 2017, Proclamation 9723 of April 10, 2018, and Proclamation 9983 of January 31, 2020.

President Biden’s proclamation notes: “Beyond contravening our values, these Executive Orders and Proclamations have undermined our national security. They have jeopardized our global network of alliances and partnerships and are a moral blight that has dulled the power of our example the world over. And they have separated loved ones, inflicting pain that will ripple for years to come.”

The proclamation additionally directs the State Department to resume visa processing consistent with the revocation of former President Trump’s executive order and proclamations and develop a plan to adjudicate applications for those who had applied for waivers under Proclamation 9645 or 9983 as well as a plan to review immigrant visa applications denied under Proclamation 9645 or 9983. Moreover, President Biden’s proclamation calls for a review of screening and vetting procedures for immigrant and nonimmigrants seeking to enter the US including reviewing the efficacy of using social media in vetting.