UPDATED Advisory on Travel Ban
On December 5, 2017, President Trump issued a new travel ban affecting eight (8) countries. This advisory is meant to give you a brief summary of the status of things right now.
The Order Related to Nationals from Specific Countries: This order creates a travel ban for people emigrating from certain countries. The countries affected by this ban are Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Although the ban is being challenged in the courts, the Supreme Court has allowed the ban to take effect while the ban is being challenged in the lower courts.
The restrictions under the order are country-specific, which means different restrictions apply to each country. Here is a summary of the restrictions for each country:
Chad: Suspends the entry of people with an immigrant visa as well as temporary visitors on business or tourist visas.
Iran: Suspends the entry of people with immigrant visas and all types of temporary visas, except for student visas and exchange visas.
Libya: Suspends the entry of people entering with an immigrant visa as well as temporary visitors on business or tourist visas.
North Korea: Suspends entry for all types of visas.
Somalia: Suspends entry for people with immigrant visas.
Syria: Suspends entry for all types of visas.
Venezuela: Suspends the entry of government officials and their family members traveling with tourist or business visas.
Yemen: Suspends entry for people with an immigrant visa or temporary visitors on business or tourist visas.
When does it come into effect? Immediately.
Who is exactly affected? Nationals from the designated countries who are outside the US on the effective date and do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date.
Exemptions: This order does not apply to the following people:
Lawful Permanent Residents (a/k/a “Green Card holders”);
Nationals of the above countries who arrived in the US after the applicable effective dates;
Dual nationals traveling with a passport from a non-designated country;
People entering with Diplomatic visas;
People who have been granted asylum and refugees who are already here in the U.S.
Does the bona fide family relationship exemption apply to the people affected? Yes, for nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen until October 18, 2017. The exemption will not apply after that.
If you have questions about how the travel ban may impact you or your family, please call ILAP to request an Intake appointment: 207-780-1593.