|
1. Proclamation: Restricting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect The United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats
This proclamation, effective June 9, 2025:
(1) Fully suspends the entry of nationals from the following twelve countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
(2) Restricts the entry of nationals of the following seven countries with either immigrant visas or nonimmigrant visas in the B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The travel ban applies only to foreign nationals of the designated countries who were outside the United States and did not have a valid visa as of today, June 9, 2025.
2. Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and other National Security and Public Safety Threats
While the travel ban proclamation suspends or restricts entry to the United States for foreign nationals from the listed countries, the proclamation did not expressly suspend the issuance of visas. However, the Department of State has announced a suspension of visa issuance in line with the travel ban.
The suspension, effective June 9, 2025:
(1) Fully suspends the issuance of all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to nationals from the following twelve countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
(2) Suspends the issuance of all immigrant visas, as well as all nonimmigrant visas in the B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories, to nationals from the following seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
WHO DOES THIS APPLY TO?
The Department of State clarified that no visas issued before June 9, 2025 have been or will be revoked. Foreign nationals who possess a valid visa as of June 9 are not subject to the travel ban or visa suspension. Visa applicants from the affected countries are still permitted to file applications and schedule interviews. It appears that the adjudication process will go forward and interviews will occur, but visas will be denied to foreign nationals in the restricted categories unless an exception applies.
EXCEPTIONS TO THE VISA SUSPENSION
· Certain diplomatic and official visas
· Certain immediate relative immigrant visas (spouses, children, and parents of U.S.
citizens)
· Adoptions by U.S. citizens
· Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
· Dual nationals applying with a passport nationality not subject to a suspension
· Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs) for U.S. government employees
· Afghan SIVs
· Participants in certain major sporting events
· Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
Additionally, an exception may apply on a case-by-case basis if the Secretary of State or the Attorney General finds that the travel of an individual would serve the U.S. national interest. There is currently no further guidance on which situations the national interest exceptions will apply to.
|
