President Biden Rescinds the Immigrant Visa Ban 

March 4, 2021

On February 24, 2021, the Biden Administration, in its latest move to rollback Trump immigration policies, rescinded Presidential Proclamation 10014 “Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.” This proclamation had halted the issuance of immigrant visas to those abroad seeking to immigrate to the United States as permanent residents, and had a particular impact on those seeking to immigrate based on their family relationship to a US citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident. President Biden declared that former President Trump’s proclamation had  “harm[ed] the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families here.” 

The rescission of this immigrant visa ban now allows those who were in the process of seeking immigrant visas to complete their visa processing at U.S. consulates abroad. The Department of State has issued guidance to those immigrant visa applicants who will be affected by the rescission of the immigrant visa ban.  It should be noted that the rescission of this immigrant visa ban has no effect on the numerous restrictions and bans still in effect, including the restrictions on H/J/L nonimmigrant visas, which is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2021. 

Our office has been and will be monitoring this evolving situation and we will be updating our website accordingly.  Please contact us if you have any questions about your immigration situation.   

 

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TAGS: Executive Order, President Biden