Supreme Court Upholds Travel Ban

In an order issued by the Supreme Court on Monday, December 4, 2017 the Court allowed the third version of the administration’s travel ban to go into effect despite pending legal challenges against the travel ban. Thus, the administration’s travel ban released on September 24, 2017 will go into effect immediately. Please see below a country-by-country summary of the impact of the new travel ban.

• Iran: Citizens of Iran are barred from entering into the United States as immigrants and nonimmigrants with exception for Iranians entering with a valid student (F and M) and exchange visitor (J) visas. Iranian citizens entering with a valid F, M or J visa should be prepared for enhanced screening and vetting requirements.
• Libya: Citizens of Libya are barred from entering into the United States as immigrants with no exception. Nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are also barred from entry.
• Chad: Citizens of Chad are barred from entering into the United States as immigrants with no exception. Nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are also barred from entry.
• North Korea: Citizens of North Korea are barred from entering into the United States as immigrants and nonimmigrants with no exception.
• Venezuela: Government officials of Venezuelan government agencies involved in screening and vetting procedures as well as the officials’ immediate family members are barred from entry into the United States on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas. Venezuelan citizens who are current visa holders should be prepared for additional vetting.
• Yemen: Citizens of Yemen are barred from entering into the United States as immigrants with no exception. Nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are also barred from entry.
• Somalia:  Citizens of Somalia are barred from entering the United States as immigrants with no exception. Somalian citizens wishing to travel to the United States on a nonimmigrant visa should be prepared for additional vetting.
• Syria: Citizens of Syria are barred from entering into the United States as immigrants and nonimmigrants with no exception.

Regardless of status, citizens from the aforementioned countries with plans to travel to the United States should be on high alert. Please contact the immigration attorneys at Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland if you have any questions or concerns regarding your ability to travel to the U.S. or enter the U.S. from travel abroad.