Immigration experts expect less disruption as travel ban goes forward
Far fewer travelers affected by version OK’d by high court
President Trump’s first travel ban targeting majority-Muslim countries in January unleashed chaos around the world, as foreigners were stopped from boarding flights overseas and detained or deported after reaching U.S. airports.
That broad ban was quickly halted by federal courts. But after 8 p.m. ET Thursday, a scaled-down version went into effect with the blessing of the Supreme Court.
Immigration experts expect less disruption because far fewer trav- elers will be affected: those from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen without close ties to the USA.
State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said Thursday the department created its list of qualified relatives based on a definition of family found in the Immigration and Nationality Act. That is why the administration will treat a daughter-in-law as a relative but not a grandparent or fiancée.
Nauert said refugees who have been approved to enter the country by July 6 will be allowed to do so, but those planning to arrive after will be subject to the ban.
The State Department also said foreigners who have interviews scheduled at U.S. consulates for visas will be able to continue that process. But, they may end up being refused entry if they cannot show strong ties to the U.S.