No Current Plans to Expand Travel Ban Beyond Current Countries (Updated February 2, 2017)
We have been hearing rumors that no one is allowed to get into the plane in Karachi, Pakistan. There are also rumors that other countries will be added to the ban. Thus American Immigration Lawyer’s Association asked Department of State to clarify.
In response to rumors of plans to expand the travel ban to other countries, DOS informed American Immigration Lawyer’s Association that there is no addendum, annex, or amendment now being worked on to expand visa revocations or the travel ban to countries other than those currently implicated in the Executive Order entitled, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” This includes Columbia and Venezuela which have been widely rumored to be under consideration and Pakistan. DOS confirmed that there is no information that supports such a rumor and asked that AILA members help end the spread of this false information.
So as of now, only people holding passports of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen are being detained. Green Card (Permanent Resident Card) holders and visa holders from these countries are also being put to secondary inspection which is taking at least 6-7 hours after they come to US from foreign travel. Some officers might be prejudiced and worse than others. The Green card holders might even be asked to give up their green cards. Never do that. Resist and ask for an attorney
So far, if you were born in these countries, but have other passports, then you are not stopped.
No refugees form these seven countries will be allowed in from these seven countries for at least 90 days
However please note that when Trump made the Executive Order the Department of State was not informed about it. They learned it just like all of us.
Written by Banerjee & Associates
