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Immediately barred from U.S. – citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen

Updated January 29, 2017 – 0930 PST.

On Friday, January 28, 2017, President Trump signed what has been called the “extreme vetting” Executive Order. The Order – among other things – bars immigration from citizens of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

We have learned that citizens of those countries – including lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and those with visas – have already been denied entry to the United States. If you are from one of those countries, do not leave the United States. The N.Y. Daily News has reported that as of 10:30 pm last night, LPRs and visa holders from the impacted nations had already been denied entry to the U.S.

Given the rapidly-developing situation, we advise all immigrants to postpone foreign travel – even if you are not from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen. 

The White House has subsequently updated its policy and stated that lawful permanent residents will not be banned. A Federal District Court has also temporarily stayed parts of the policy, but does not strike down the Executive Order.

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All Sound Immigration attorneys are members of the American Immigration Lawyers Associations. They practice immigration law exclusively, focusing on helping families start new lives in the United States.

This Post Has 36 Comments

  1. I recently got married to my Fiancee, a Syrian citizen, and was wondering what his chances are coming to America. Am I able to apply for a Spouse Visa for him? what can I do to bring him to hear? It has been 2 years and it’s extremely hard to do the distance. Please help.

    1. You’ll need a Travel Ban waiver in order for this to be approved. That happens at the consulate stage once you are applying for the visa – not sure if you’re at that stage or not. That’s a really complex process for which you’ll want the help of someone with specific experience with those waivers and with consulates in that region.

  2. Hi

    My husband was scheduled for his visa interview on March 15, 2017. He is a Somali national. Unfortunately his visa interview was cancelled. Now I am hearing that many courts have said that Trump’s ban is unconstitutional and many courts said it is illegal. When will my husband’s visa interview be rescheduled?

  3. I have a green card. And I am originally from Iran. My green card will expired 4 years from now. Do you think I have a chance to file a citizenship or renew my greencard? I have been in california for more than 10 years and I have never left USA ever since. Please advice.
    Thanks.

  4. Hi I’am from the philippines sadly I heard about the news. I just wanted to know if it is true that the Phillines will be affected by this EO?. I’m cuttently in the USA and I’am getting married to a US citizen . After we are going to file our application for AOS.

    1. Hi, Isha: We received reports yesterday that these restrictions may be coming, but have not been able to confirm that with any credible source. Under current Executive Orders there would not be a basis for denying adjustment to a Philippines national. We strongly encourage you to retain an attorney and be very careful with the process.

  5. Hi. Thank you for your clarification of the Executive Order. I recently filed the
    I-129F form for my fiancée. I’m a naturalized citizen and she is a Syrian citizen who is residing in Turkey. The last update I have was last Friday when our file was sent to the California Service Center. Besides waiting out the 90 day ban, what other legal recourse do I have to make sure my fiancée can come here so we can get married? Can the President stop my marriage via this ban? Thanks again in advance for your time.

      1. Thank you for you reply. Hopefully this is just temporary and USCIS processing continues after the 90 day period?

  6. My in-laws are Syrians. One of them entered US on immigrant visa few months back and then left before receiving his card (against our impassioned pleas to be patient and wait). He is in Syria now wondering if he can return just with his passport sans physical green card.

    1. Hi, Umm: Unless there’s a safety (or other) reason to leave sooner, we will maximize his chance of an uneventful entry by waiting until you can get the card to him. Lately they have been issued in about 30 days. But we have also received informal word from USCIS that all applications are put on hold (from the affected countries), and it’s so far unclear whether they will stop projection of cards. An individual with status as an LPR has that status regardless of whether he’s in possession of the card. But it sure would be preferable to have the actual card.

  7. Brazilians GC holders married with an US citizen, is safe to travel to Brazil to see my family and come back to the USA?

  8. I am a naturalized US citizen born in Iran. I am 38 years old and I have been in the US for 37 years, my first 14 months of life was in Iran. I have a US passport. I am dual citizen.

    I am scheduled to go to Mexico in a few weeks for a vacation. Can I still safely travel? I am hearing all kinds of things and am just confused anymore.

      1. It has been several weeks and many events have occurred since posting.

        Does the firm still have the same sentiments of restricting travel? Again, naturalized US citizen who just has plans of going to Mexico on vacation.

        Thanks.

          1. Last time asking before the trip…….new rules released today…..does the firm still feel the same, that this is a low risk? Thank you very much.

  9. Hi Soundimmigration’s team,

    Thanks a lot for your updates, I really appreciate it,

    My husband is Syrian, and we’re applying for IR1 visa, and at this time our documents are at NVC for process, I really have no idea about what’s going to happen now, are they going to stop it at this point or what?! Unfortunately everything seems disappointing!

  10. I am from Brazil and my husband is a US citizen . If I travel to Brazil to see my family will be a problem to enter To the USA?

  11. I am from Brazil and my husband is a US citizen . If I travel to Brazil to see my family will be a problem to enter to the us ?

  12. Hi there, thank you for the information. I just want to be sure though: I am a permanent resident of 6 years from Ireland. Even though Ireland is not on the list, I should leave the country because I might be denied reentry?

  13. Hi, do you have any update about how this new EO can effect issuance of green cards for iranians that are already landed in US with immigrant visa? The stamp on the passport is only valid for 1 year as a temporary green card…

    Thank you very much.

    Shaya

    1. Hi, Shaya: Good question. If you’ve already entered the U.S. and the only step left is physically issuing the card, there’s a chance that will still happen. We haven’t seen the DHS agency guidance that was issued last night. Since you no longer are seeking to “enter” or “apply” for a benefit, it could be that you’ll get the card. But that’s just a guess at this point. DHS could theoretically stop issuance of card.

      1. Thanks for your response. I’m concerened b/c the EO mentions “suspension of issuance of visa and other immigration benefits”. I am thinking green card is considered as immigration benefits…

          1. I read somewhere that refusing to issue green cards to LPRs already admitted to US can in unconstitutional according to vested rights doctorine… do you think that id true?

  14. Hello , thank you so so much for this information it’s very very helpful
    I am GC holder my wife just got her visa Fx2 visa and we are from iraq just get back to iraq last week to bring her here. do you think we will not able to inter ?
    please help .

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