Updated Information on U.S. Immigration Travel Ban and EB-5 Visas

As of July 19^th, 2017, the Supreme Court has approved a temporary exemption for grandparents and other relatives of internationals who have been approved for residence in the United States. Qualifying family members of immigrants already living in the United States include their grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews. nieces, cousins, brothers in law, and sisters in law.

Specific refugees are still on the travel ban list for the foreseeable future until the appeal of the ban has been reviewed and approved by the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Refugees from Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, and Iran are all still affected by the travel ban as listed on Donald Trump’s travel ban order. The ban will also include all family members of those affected countries. The specific family members affected are the parents, fiancés, direct kin, sons and daughters in law, and siblings of the listed countries.

Donald Trump’s office had attempted to clarify its travel ban order on June 26^th, 2017 but the U.S. supreme court denied the motion so the current state of the travel ban remains until further processing is completed. The supreme court document states specifically,

“The District Court order modifying the preliminary injunction with respect to refugees covered by a formal assurance is stayed pending resolution of the Government’s appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.”

Effects on EB-5 Visa for potential immigrants seeking permanent residence in the U.S.

The updated information as of July 19^th, 2017 doesn’t have any specific affects pertaining to the EB-5 visa program, unless the applicant is from the countries of Sudan, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Syria, or Iran. However, the travel ban’s increased scrutiny on foreign nationals still remains. EB-5 applicants can still expect further questioning and may also need to hand over their social media account information before given the chance of approval for their EB-5 visa. For more information on further questioning that can be expected take a look at Martin Lawler’s recent article on the Muslim Travel Ban.