On February 24, 2021, President Joseph Biden signed a proclamation revoking former President Trump’s suspension of the issuance of immigrant visas (Green Cards) to those outside the United States, which Trump put forth at the time to purportedly assist with the economic recovery for American workers affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Specifically, President Biden’s proclamation revokes the suspension of entry imposed in Proclamation 10014 (April 22, 2020), as extended by section 1 of Proclamation 10052 (June 22, 2020), and section 1 of Proclamation 10131 (December 31, 2020).

President Biden’s proclamation states that Trump’s immigrant visa suspension "harms the United States, including by preventing certain family members of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents from joining their families” and also “harms industries in the United States that utilize talent from around the world.” President Biden’s proclamation additionally directs 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.”

Notably, President Biden did not lift the restrictions put in place for certain H-1B, L and J visa holders who were based abroad, although these restrictions are set to expire March 31, 2021. Additionally, country-specific travel restrictions continue to remain in place. (For more information about these restrictions, please see our post, “Can I Travel to the US?”)