With the Trump Administration’s travel ban enforceable once more, as a result of the Supreme Court ruling, it’s important to see how the ban may affect your travel plans. The Administration has a narrow definition of family, and relatives you consider very close may not be eligible. Learn how family is defined and how this affects your plans.
How Family is Defined for the Travel Ban Purposes
A parent, stepparent, child, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sibling, step-sibling, half sibling, or spouse qualifies as family to the Administration.
While fiancés were originally on the list of non-qualifying members, the President moved them to the qualified list. This is great news if you and your fiancé have been in a long-distance relationship, for example while they studied at a U.S. college.
A grandchild, grandparent, cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, or nephew does not count as family. Any other type of family member that isn’t listed on the accepted list does not qualify as family, no matter how close you consider your relationship to them.
What the Travel Ban Means for You
Under the new travel ban, residents of Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Syria will be able to apply for a visa if they have a family relationship that qualifies or if they have a connection to a U.S. business or school, such as a college acceptance letter.
The Supreme Court ruling was made on ‘bona fide’ family relationships, and the definition of ‘bona fide’ was drawn up after the ruling by the Administration. Some think the Administration’s list is unduly restrictive and believe it will invite more litigation for the Trump Administration. In the meantime, if you have family members who wish to immigrate, contact a licensed immigration lawyer, who can advise you how to proceed.
