President Biden Issues Proclamation Suspending Entry of Persons Enabling Corruption

In a proclamation issued on December 11, 2023, President Joe Biden announced the suspension of entry into the United States for both immigrant and nonimmigrant individuals who have enabled, facilitated, or been involved in significant corruption, along with their immediate family members. The proclamation aims to address the threat that corruption poses to national security, economic equity, anti-poverty efforts, and democracy itself.

The fight against global corruption was established as a core national security interest through National Security Study Memorandum 1 (NSSM-1) on June 3, 2021. The proclamation builds upon the United States Strategy on Countering Corruption issued on December 6, 2021, which seeks to prevent and combat corruption while eliminating safe havens for corrupt actors and their proceeds.

The proclamation grants the Secretary of State the authority to identify individuals covered by the suspension, and the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security will implement the proclamation's provisions regarding visas and the entry of noncitizens, respectively. Certain exceptions are outlined in the proclamation, including lawful permanent residents, individuals granted asylum or refugee status, and those whose entry would further United States law enforcement objectives.