Biden revokes Trump immigrant visa ban

President Biden issued a proclamation today that revokes the immigrant visa ban that suspended entry of foreign nationals in immigrant visa (i.e. green card) categories.

Key Points:

• The immigrant visa ban—Proclamation 10014 and its extensions—is immediately revoked.
• Biden’s order states that the ban harms the United States by preventing business sectors in the U.S. from utilizing talent from around the world, keeping family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents from reuniting and preventing Diversity Visa Lottery winners from applying and obtaining green cards.
• President Trump issued the immigrant visa ban on April 22, 2020, and extended it shortly before leaving office. It was set to expire at the end of next month.

BAL Analysis: Biden’s revocation of the immigrant visa ban is a positive sign for those who have been prevented from applying for immigrant visas or from entering the U.S. under the ban. The ban primarily affected family-based immigrants. Today’s proclamation does not revoke the work-visa ban issued on June 22, 2020 (Proclamation 10052), which bans certain temporary nonimmigrant visa categories, including H-1B, L-1 and J-1 visas. That ban is scheduled to expire March 31.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.