Travel Ban Affects Visa Applicants From 6 Countries And All Refugees Currently Awaiting Approval For Admission To The US
Immigration Alert, Editor’s Corner
The months of speculation and litigation of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order on a travel ban affecting 6 countries and refugees finally culminated in the US Supreme Court ruling that parts of the order could be implemented. Even though a partial victory for the Trump administration there are crucial elements to know about how the revised version of this ban affects individuals from these regions and refugees from any country.
Who Is Affected
- Foreign nationals from the following countries:
- Syria
- Iran
- Yemen
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Libya
- Anyone with no “credible claim of bona fide relationship” with either an entity (like a school or a job) or a person living in the US (such as a spouse) will be banned for 90days and 120days for refugees from any country. In order to enter the USA applicants must prove a relationship with a close relationship such as a parent, spouse, sibling, adult children or son or daughter-in-law. Note that other relationships including fiancées, grandparents, grandkids, aunties, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, all other in-laws etc. do not qualify an applicant for approval.
- Assurances from refugee settlement organizations on behalf of prospective refugees do not constitute close or bona fide relationships and will not be considered for approval.
Who is exempt from the ban?
The following categories of travelers are excluded from the travel ban:
- US citizens
- Legal permanent residents (aka green card holders)
- Current visa holders
- Any visa applicant who was in the US as of June 26
- Dual nationals
- Anyone granted asylum
- Any refugee already admitted to the US (or cleared for travel by the State Department through July 6)
- Foreign nationals with “bona fide” family, educational or business tie to the US.
- Anyone already in possession of a visa will not be revoked and scheduled visa application appointments will not be canceled.
The State Department criteria apply not only to visa applicants, but also to all refugees currently awaiting approval for admission to the US. The ban goes into effect Thursday, June 29 at 5pm Eastern.
Read the entire Executive Order
