Travellers hurt and angry
UAE residents speak out against Washington’s biased travel restrictions
The US has announced a set of new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations, and UAE residents who have been directly impacted by the restrictions have been speaking out.
The Trump administration’s new position on visa rules now means those travelling to the country require close family or business ties to the United States. The new rules affect people from Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Only once applicants have fulfilled these requirements will they be admitted to the United States under the guidance distributed by the US State Department. Those who already hold valid visas are not affected.
But Sharjah-based Sudanese resident, Anas Agariv, is not happy with the decision.
“This new position on visa rules will affect all people from these countries in different ways. Blocking certain people from entry is not the answer. You cannot tar everyone with the same brush,” he told Khaleej Times.
If you have been flagged as a security risk or have had past investigations or convictions regarding security issues against your name, Anas said visa restraints should be put in place.
“But you can’t restrict everyone, just because of their nationality.”
Even his own daughter has US citizenship (though she is now studying in Dubai), he said. However, he fears he will be rejected if he tries to submit a visa request to the US.
“At the moment, we have cousins and a brother-in-law in the US but I guess they will not be deemed ‘close relatives’, which means we may be refused entry if we want to travel there.”
In the past 10 years, Anas has travelled to the US about three times, and he said he has always abided by the rules. “Is that not enough proof for them that I am a worthy traveller?” he said.
The United States also an- nounced new security measures for inbound flights that are de- signed to prevent expanding the in-cabin ban on laptops.
For Syrian shop owner A.A., the past six months (since President Donald Trump’s inauguration) has left a sour taste in his mouth with regards to the US.
washington — The Trump administration on Wednesday set new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim nations and all refugees that require a “close” family or business tie to the United States. The move came after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump’s executive order that was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims.
Visas that have already been approved will not be revoked, but instructions issued by the State Department say that new applicants from Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Iran and Yemen must prove a relationship with a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, sonin-law, daughter-in-law or sibling already in the United States to be eligible. The same requirement, with some exceptions, holds for would-be refugees from all nations who are still awaiting approval for admission to the US.
Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships, according to the guidelines.
As far as business or professional links are concerned, the State Department said a legitimate relationship must be “formal, documented and formed in the ordinary course rather than for the purpose of evading” the ban. Journalists, students, workers or lecturers who have valid invitations or employment contracts in the US would be exempt from the ban. The exemption does not apply to those who seek a relationship with an American business or educational institution purely for the purpose of avoiding the rules. A hotel reservation or car People arrived from six countries during March-April this year People arrived from six nations during March-April last year rental contract, even if it was prepaid, would also not count.
Consular officers may grant other exemptions to applicants from the six nations if they have “previously established significant contacts with the US”; “significant business or professional obligations” in the US; if they are an infant, adopted child or in need of urgent medical care; if they are travelling for business with a recognised international organisation or the US government or if they are a legal resident of Canada who applies for a visa in Canada.
Critics said they are watching closely to see how the guidelines are used. “Initial reports suggest that the government may try to unilaterally expand the scope of the ban — for example, by arbitrarily refusing to treat certain categories of familial relationships as ‘bona fide’. These reports are deeply concerning. We are watching for official word,” said Omar Jadwat, director of the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights. — AP