Published on February 6, 2017

Pursuant to a federal district court ruling in Seattle issued on Friday, February 3, the President’s Executive Order banning entry into the U.S. of individuals from Libya, Sudan, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Yemen and Somalia has been suspended. This hold may not last long, so individuals from those countries who want to come to the U.S. and have valid visas or permanent residency cards should do so immediately.

It also has been confirmed with U.S. Customs and Border Protection that individuals who arrived last weekend and had their visas physically cancelled as a result of the Executive Order will not need to reapply for a new visa and absent any other admissibility issues will receive an I-193 waiver (Application for Waiver of Passport and/or Visa) upon arrival to the U.S. For those traveling by air, airlines have been instructed to contact U.S. Customs and Border Protection to receive authorization to permit boarding. We still advise individuals from any of the seven countries who are currently in the U.S. to avoid travel outside the U.S. until this case is resolved.

Tomorrow three federal judges are scheduled to hear oral arguments challenging the President’s Executive Order on Immigration. Ryan Swanson attorneys will be closely following the case for any impact to travel.

Amy Royalty can be reached at 206-654-2260 or [email protected].
Janet Cheetham can be reached at 206.654.2235 or [email protected].
Joel Paget can be reached at 206.654.2215 or [email protected].
Marsha Mavunkel can be reached at 206.654.2253 or [email protected].