Executive Order on Immigration: Travel Advisory

On Friday January 27th, President Trump signed an Executive Order, Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States, which restricts immigration from certain countries. The Executive Order suspends immigrant and non-immigrant admissions to the U.S. for at least 90 days for individuals from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The Executive Order also suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for at least 120 days and suspends U.S. resettlement of refugees from Syria indefinitely.

Over the weekend, federal courts across the U.S. issued rulings to temporarily halt enforcement of the Executive Order which would have otherwise led to the removal of individuals who arrived in the U.S. with a valid visa or green card. Even with the court issued stays in place, individuals arriving with valid visas are not guaranteed entry into the U.S. The U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and State have indicated the Executive Order will remain in place despite these court orders to pause implementation of the ban.

Issues related to this ban are developing quickly. We hope for much-needed clarity on a variety of issues stemming from the Executive Order in the coming days. In the interim, here is some general guidance for individuals from the affected countries:

• If you are planning to travel outside of the U.S., consult with an immigration attorney prior to departure. Non-citizens who may be affected by the Executive Order should hold off on any non-essential travel.

• Individuals abroad who travel to the U.S. and encounter issues at the airport should contact an immigration attorney.

• Individuals from the affected countries with pending immigration cases who experience prolonged delays should speak with an immigration attorney.

These pointers do not constitute legal advice. As every person’s immigration situation is unique, it is important to speak with an attorney about your personal circumstances.

Please follow our blog for additional updates. Chokshi Filippone Law LLC stands with the individuals, families, and businesses who have been negatively impacted by this Executive Order and commend the efforts of organizations and fellow immigration advocates seeking to challenge this Executive Order in our courts. Our attorneys are available for consultations so please call us if we may be of assistance.