The Supreme Court Just Approved Part of Trump's Travel Ban. Here's How It Might Impact Your Trip.

The first version of the ban was signed in late January and eventually stalled by the federal courts a few days later. The new iteration has been tweaked, but will still impact who from the aforementioned six countries can travel to the U.S.


For starters, the Supreme Court stated that “foreign nationals who have a credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States” will be allowed to enter the country. In other words, students and teachers coming to the U.S. for educational purposes, workers employed by American companies, and folks visiting their families will not be impacted. 


That said, only certain family members are considered a “bona fide” relationship. According to the State Department, people who have a “parent (including a parent-in-law), spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, sibling, whether whole or half” in the U.S. will be approved. This also includes step relationships. Grandparents and grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, however, do not make the cut. Fiancees of people living the U.S. will also be granted visas, and anyone who already has an existing visa as of Thursday evening will also be allegedly allowed into the U.S.

Refugees with “bona fide” relationships with people and businesses in the U.S. are also welcome to travel to the country, despite the executive order’s 120-day ban on refugee settlement. 


Everyone else who doesn’t fit these criteria will not be permitted to cross the U.S. border during the 90-day period. Companies will be barred from fostering relationships with people from the six countries who wish to enter the U.S. as well. “A nonprofit group devoted to immigration issues may not contact foreign nationals from the designated countries, add them to client lists, and then secure their entry by claiming injuries from the exclusion,” the Supreme Court stated. 


While Trump called the ruling a “clear victory,” others spoke out against the decision. “It remains clear that President Trump’s purpose is to disparage and condemn Muslims. The reported guidance does not comport with the Supreme Court’s order, is arbitrary, and is not tied to any legitimate government purpose," said Omar Jadwat, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project. For now, travelers -- especially those flying internationally -- should expect potential delays.


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