Improving Enhanced Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats

This proclamation expands the Trump administration's travel restrictions by suspending immigrant visa entry for nationals of Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria, and suspending Diversity Immigrant visas for nationals of Sudan and Tanzania, citing deficiencies in identity-management and information-sharing practices. It maintains existing restrictions from Proclamation 9645 while amending reporting requirements and revoking section 5 of that earlier proclamation.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 6699

Impact dates

Jan 30, 2022
Biennial worldwide reviews of all countries' information-sharing and identity-management practices
Oct 1, 2020
First annual evaluation due on whether to continue, terminate, modify, or supplement suspensions and limitations
Jul 29, 2020
Five countries given 180-day period to show specific improvements in deficiencies
Feb 21, 2020
Proclamation effective date

Key directives

Suspend immigrant visa entry for nationals of Burma, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Nigeria (except Special Immigrants who assisted U.S. Government)
Suspend Diversity Immigrant visa entry for nationals of Sudan and Tanzania
Maintain existing Proclamation 9645 restrictions unchanged
Amend section 4 of Proclamation 9645 to require annual evaluations beginning October 1, 2020
Require biennial worldwide reviews of all countries
Revoke section 5 of Proclamation 9645
Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security to coordinate updated implementation guidance

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation signed January 31, 2020
Effective date: February 21, 2020 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Near term (90d)

Five countries given 180-day period to show specific improvements in deficiencies (deadline approximately July 29, 2020)
DHS and State Department to coordinate updated guidance for implementation

Long term

First annual evaluation due October 1, 2020
Biennial worldwide reviews of all countries' information-sharing and identity-management practices
Ongoing diplomatic engagement with deficient countries

Risks & tensions

Expansion of travel ban to include Nigeria, a major African ally, may strain diplomatic relations
Partial compliance ratings and tailored restrictions reflect tension between security goals and foreign policy interests
Exemption for Special Immigrants who assisted U.S. Government acknowledges competing obligations to foreign partners
Diversity Visa restrictions for Sudan and Tanzania represent less severe but symbolically significant limitations
Document notes five additional countries given diplomatic reprieve due to counterterrorism cooperation, suggesting policy influenced by strategic interests beyond pure security metrics