Proclamation 10141-Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to the United States

On January 20, 2021, his first day in office, President Biden issued Proclamation 10141, ending the discriminatory bans on entry to the United States that had been established by his predecessor. The proclamation formally revoked Executive Orders 13780 and 13769 — popularly known as the 'Muslim ban' — as well as Presidential Proclamation 9645 and related orders that had suspended entry from a list of majority-Muslim countries and other nations. Biden directed the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to develop a plan to resume visa processing for individuals from the affected countries and to address the backlogs that had accumulated.

Biden characterized the travel bans as discriminatory and contrary to American values of openness and non-discrimination, noting that they had separated families, prevented qualified immigrants and visitors from entering the country, and sent a message of hostility to Muslim communities and other groups targeted by the restrictions. He directed agencies to facilitate the processing of applications for individuals who had been prevented from obtaining visas under the now-revoked restrictions.

This proclamation was among Biden's first official acts as President, fulfilling a campaign promise to immediately end the travel bans and signaling a fundamental change in the administration's approach to immigration and its relationship with Muslim-majority countries and communities. It was among the most visible and symbolically significant reversals of a prior administration's immigration policies in recent presidential history.

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