United States: Courts partially reinstate travel bans November 13 /update 4

Event

Court rulings issued on Monday, November 13, partially reinstated travel bans decreed by the administration of President Donald Trump affecting citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Chad. The regulations were scheduled to go into effect on October 18 but had been temporarily suspended following a ruling by a lower court, which has now been partially overturned.

As such, citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, and Chad without a “bona fide” relationship to the United States - e.g. close family in the country, a job at an American company, enrollment at an American university, etc. - will henceforth be denied visas to travel to the country. According to the ruling, “close family” includes immediate family (parents, children, siblings) as well as grandparents, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Furthermore, a blanket ban on citizens from North Korea and a ban on certain Venezuelan government officials and their families remain in effect.

Further changes to the bans due to court rulings cannot be ruled out.

Context

President Trump has issued numerous executive orders regarding travel to the country since taking office in January 2017. Many of the orders involved vague language and caused confusion and even chaos in airports, and many aspects of the orders have been overturned by the courts.

Advice

Potentially-affected travelers are advised to keep abreast of the situation and to contact their nearest US embassy or consulate for further details regarding visa and entry requirements.