Refugee Resettlement (E.O. 14013)

Summary

Aims to rebuild and improve the U.S. program for resettling refugees and to study how climate change causes people to move from their homes.

What problem does this solve?

Previous policies slowed down and limited the U.S. refugee program, making it hard for people in danger to find safety. This order removes those old policies, speeds up the process, and plans for future challenges like migration caused by climate change.

What does this order do?

Revokes previous refugee policies

Cancels Executive Orders 13815 and 13888, which limited refugee admissions and increased state and local involvement in resettlement decisions.

Reviews visa programs for Iraqi and Afghan allies

Orders a review of the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) programs for Iraqi and Afghan nationals who helped the U.S. to find and fix delays and problems.

Plans for climate change migration

Requires a report on how climate change affects migration and includes options for protecting and resettling people displaced by it.

Improves refugee vetting and processing

Aims to make security checks for refugees more efficient, fair, and fast, and to use technology like video interviews to speed things up.

Expands access for vulnerable groups

Seeks to improve access to the refugee program for women, children, and people at risk of harm due to their gender or sexual orientation.

Increases program transparency

Requires that policies and procedures for the refugee and SIV programs be made public on government websites within 30 days of being issued.

Who does this affect?

Refugees and asylum seekers
Iraqi and Afghan allies applying for Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs)
Federal agencies involved in immigration and resettlement

What is the real world impact?

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Strengthens humanitarian efforts

Rebuilds the U.S. refugee program to help people fleeing persecution, which shows the country's values and helps with world problems.

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Prepares for climate-driven migration

Looks ahead to a future where climate change will force many people to leave their homes, positioning the U.S. to handle this new type of migration.

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Reverses previous administration's policies

Directly cancels executive orders from the prior administration that restricted refugee resettlement, signaling a major shift in immigration policy.

When does this start?

This order takes effect on February 4, 2021, and sets several deadlines for reports and reviews over the next 180 days.

Fraud detection report

Within 30 days (by March 6, 2021), the Secretary of State and Homeland Security must report on fraud detection measures in the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP).

Report on revoked directives

Within 90 days (by May 5, 2021), a report is due on all agency actions taken under the now-revoked executive orders.

Plan to clear processing backlogs

Within 120 days (by June 4, 2021), the Secretary of State must submit a plan to address backlogs in the refugee admissions program.

Review of Iraqi and Afghan SIV programs

Within 180 days (by August 3, 2021), a review of the SIV programs for Iraqi and Afghan allies must be completed and recommendations submitted.

Climate change and migration report

Within 180 days (by August 3, 2021), a report on the impact of climate change on migration must be submitted to the President.