Executive Order 13769 — United States Executive Order limiting refugees from Muslim-majority countries
The order was the first major U.S. policy restricting entry from several Muslim-majority countries, sparking widespread legal challenges and protests over immigration and civil liberties.
Key Facts
- Signed
- January 27, 2017
- Refugee cap for 2017
- 50,000 refugees
- USRAP suspended
- 120 days
- Travelers detained
- More than 700 people
- Visas provisionally revoked
- Up to 60,000 visas
- Superseded by
- Executive Order 13780 on March 6, 2017
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following campaign pledges to restrict Muslim immigration for national security reasons, President Trump sought to reduce terrorist threats by limiting entry from countries deemed to have inadequate vetting standards. The administration identified Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen as countries of concern under existing U.S. immigration law.
On January 27, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13769, suspending the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days, indefinitely halting Syrian refugee entry, capping 2017 refugee admissions at 50,000, and barring entry from seven Muslim-majority countries for 90 days. Over 700 travelers were detained and up to 60,000 visas were provisionally revoked.
The order triggered immediate nationwide protests and legal challenges, including a temporary restraining order issued February 3, 2017, upheld by the Ninth Circuit. DHS halted enforcement and the State Department re-validated revoked visas. The order was superseded by Executive Order 13780 on March 6, 2017, and the subsequent travel ban was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in a 5–4 decision on June 26, 2018.