January was a busy month for the Trump Administration. Yesterday, we covered the presidential proclamation suspending entry of foreign nationals who have visited China 14 days preceding their entry. This article covers the expansion of the “travel ban.”

Expanded Travel Ban

A presidential proclamation with the catchy title, “Proclamation on Improving Enhanced Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry” was issued to expand the list of countries from which certain entries are banned (known as the “Travel Ban”) effective February 21, 2020 12:01 AM Eastern Standard Time.

As of that date, the countries from which some nationals will be banned from being issued an immigrant visa will include Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan, and Tanzania.

Not all immigration from these countries is banned - the government is including only certain categories of immigrants.  Please note that the term “immigrants” in the Proclamation is meant in the technical sense of those coming to obtain permanent residence (i.e., green cards). It does not affect those coming for temporary purposes (i.e., those coming as “non-immigrants”).

Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria – All immigrants except Special Immigrants who have provided assistance to the U.S. government

Sudan, Tanzania – Diversity Visa immigrants only

Waivers of the Travel Ban are available in limited instances.  Certain exceptions, such as for those with dual nationality, also apply.