On Friday, President Trump signed an executive order that shut the door on citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries (Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and Libya), prohibiting them from entering the U.S. for 90 days. The order also bars admission of all refugees for 120 days, and from Syria indefinitely. As a result, travelers were detained at airports across the country, including an Iraqi man who once worked as an interpreter for the U.S. government. Social media feeds flooded with comments that both supported and denounced the ban -- some praised the president on his efforts to push national security, while thousands of critics gathered at airports (JFK, Dulles International Airport, Miami International, to name a few) in protest, claiming that Trump's actions violate religious freedoms. Chants of "no hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here" also filled the streets. No matter which side of the aisle you stand on, here's what you need to know about who and how this new order might impact your travel plans.
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Photo courtesy of Flickr/Tim Sackton
Who does this impact?
Whether traveling for business or pleasure, citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen should expect to be denied entry into the U.S. for 90 days. If you are coming from one of the blacklisted countries, we recommend contacting your airline immediately, as it may not let you board your flight. Although airlines are not required to do so, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have agreed to offer refunds for customers impacted by the ban, according to The Telegraph. To find out your options, it’s best to check with your carrier. Those with a green card will allegedly not be impacted, but more on that below.
Tip: as protests continue, it’s wise to allot for extra time for arriving at airports and going through security. Call the airline if you need to move your flight up or check for any delays. Research any potential protests that may be occurring at or en route to the airport before heading out. And if you happen to be detained at Customs, the ACLU and other nonprofit organizations are offering legal assistance. Travelers are advised not to surrender their green card and to ask for legal representation immediately, according to Cruise Critic.
How does this impact you if you have a green card?
Initially, the order barred green card holders, who are in the U.S. legally, from returning to the country. Later, White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus stated that U.S. green card holders would not be impacted, though they could encounter additional screening and questioning at airports. A Homeland Security official told CNN, “this is our message to them: get on a plane. Come back to the U.S. You will be subject to secondary screening, but everything else will be normal.” Lawyers and advocacy groups have been recommending that green card holders in the U.S. postpone any travel plans abroad, according to BBC.
While traveling, make sure to carry all documents necessary to re-enter the U.S. You can find more information on documentation on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
What if you have dual citizenship?
According to the state department, those who are from one of the seven countries but have an additional passport will also be banned from entering the U.S. for the next 90 days. On Saturday, a federal judge blocked part of Trump’s order, stating that individuals from the seven aforementioned countries who have already arrived in the U.S. (or who are in transit and possess a valid visa) can legally enter the country.
There are also a couple of exceptions. For example, Canada announced that its dual citizens and permanent residents can still enter the U.S. when traveling from Canada, provided they have a valid Canadian permanent resident card and passport from one of the seven impacted countries. Similarly, the ban will not apply to British dual citizens traveling from the U.K. “The only dual nationals who might have extra checks are those coming from one of the seven countries themselves–for example, a U.K.-Libya dual national coming from Libya to the U.S.,” Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said, according to Politico. That being said, it’s important to research your country’s stance on the ban.
How are other countries responding?
Canada and the U.K. aren’t the only ones who have spoken out about Trump’s travel ban. On Saturday, Iran said it would stop U.S. citizens from entering the country as an act of retaliation. “While respecting the American people and distinguishing between them and the hostile policies of the U.S. government, Iran will implement the principle of reciprocity until the offensive U.S. limitations against Iranian nationals are lifted,” a Foreign Ministry statement said, according to Reuters. As previously mentioned, it’s essential to research not only your own country’s position on the ban, but also your travel destination’s standpoint.
What should you do if you're stranded?
Airbnb is offering free housing for people left stranded as a result of Trump’s executive order. The company CEO, Brian Chesky, shared in a recent Facebook post that the free housing applies to “refugees and anyone else who needs it in the event they are denied the ability to board a U.S.-bound flight and are not in your city/country of residence.” Folks who wish to help by temporarily hosting people for free can visit the company’s support page, which features the message “help create a world where anyone can belong anywhere.” And if free housing is not available, Airbnb has also stated they will subsidize the cost of a listing.
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