Trump's travel ban: Who's affected by it and what's happened so far

Platt, Spencer (Reporter)

Reporter

text

Canadian Writing Research Collaboratory

The Globe & Mail

2017-06-27T00:00:00.000Z
2017-06-27

continuing

English

Journalism

islandora:54498d09-46f6-46b7-ac2e-c2b1d7462cbe

2018-12-24T00:57:08.316Z

After months of court challenges, Trump's ban on travel from six Muslim-majority countries is now in effect – but only in part, and with lots of questions looming over it. Here's what we know: A scaled-down version of U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban came into effect July 29 at 8 p.m. (ET), after a Supreme Court ruling gave the administration a limited victory on the issue. The State Department issued instructions in a cable to consular officials that clarified how the government is interpreting the “bona fide relationship” standard set out by the court. Family: The State Department’s guidelines say that, to be exempt from the ban, applicants must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, sibling, adult son or daughter, son- or daughter-in-law, fiancé or fiancée already in the United States. (Grandparents were not initially exempt from the ban, but they were later given permission to come in as usual.) Business and professional visitors: The State Department said a legitimate business relationship must be “formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading” the ban. Refugees: The same requirements hold for would-be refugees from all nations that are still awaiting approval for admission to the U.S. Canadians: The federal government has assured that Canadian citizens and permanent residents should still be able to travel as usual, but anyone travelling to the U.S. should double-check their documentation and eligibility ahead of time. (Here are the government of Canada’s guidelines for U.S. travel, and the phone numbers and contact forms for emergency consular assistance.)