Trump’s At It Again: New Travel Ban Affects 3 Additional Countries

President Trump has issued a new travel ban that restricts or bars immigration from eight countries. A report from ABC News points out several key differences between the most recent ban and the travel ban that went into effect in June—for instance, three more counties (North Korea, Venezuela, and Chad) will be affected by the new ban, restrictions on Sudan have been lifted, the specific limitations and restrictions vary by country.

Another key difference is that Trump’s previous travel ban was only scheduled to be in effect for 90 days, but the new ban will be permanent or will last until conditions in those countries are determined to have changed.

If you are a national of Iran, Somalia, Chad, Yemen, Venezuela, Syria, Libya, or North Korea and you are concerned that the recent travel ban will affect your immigration goals, contact my office to discuss your situation. Call 973-453-2009 to speak with a New Jersey green card lawyer from the Law Office of Eric M. Mark.

“Bona Fide Relationship” Exception Not Included in New Travel Ban

Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Trump’s previous travel ban could proceed, the Court specified that it could not affect people who had a “bona fide relationship” with an entity or person in the United States. However, the new travel ban does not include this exception.

As I mentioned before, the most recent ban affects each country differently. Although nationals of some countries such as Iraq are still allowed to enter the United States as immigrants or non-immigrants, they will undergo enhanced vetting requirements.

Below, I’ve outlined how the travel ban will impact each of the eight affected countries:

• Iranian nationals are barred from entering the United States as immigrants or non-immigrants unless under an exchange visitor visa or student visa. Enhanced screening requirements will be used for Iranian nationals who apply for those visas.
• Nationals of Libya, Yemen, and Chad are barred from entering the United States as immigrants or non-immigrants on tourist, business-tourist, or business visas.
• All Syrian and North Korean nationals are barred from entering the country as non-immigrants or immigrants.
• Nationals of Somalia are barred from entering the United States as immigrants, and non-immigrants will have to undergo enhanced screening requirements.
• Venezuelan nationals are barred from entering the United States except for certain government officials and their immediate family, who may enter on non-immigrant business, business-tourist, and tourist visas.

If you believe that the recent travel ban will stifle your immigration goals, contact my office today. I stay up to date on all recent changes to U.S. immigration policies, and I will help you avoid crucial mistakes during your immigration proceedings. Call 973-453-2009 to schedule a consultation with a green card lawyer in New Jersey.