Testing “close ties”: US Establishes visa criteria for applicants from 6 Muslim countries
Washington: The Trump government has established new criteria for visa applicants from six mainly Muslim countries and all refugees who require a “close” family or business tie to the United States.
The move comes after the Supreme Court partially restored the executive order of President Donald Trump, which was widely criticized as a ban on Muslims.
New guidelines sent to US embassies and consulates on Wednesday say applicants from all six countries must demonstrate a relationship with a parent, spouse, son, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or brother in the NOS.
This is according to a State Department cable obtained by the Associated Press.
Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, law-brothers and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other members of the extended family are not considered close relationships.
Senior officials from the State, Justice and National Security departments are finalizing the criteria that six mostly Muslim visitors must meet to avoid repeal of the Trump government travel ban.
White House deliberations arrive as US embassies and consulates await instructions later on yesterday on how to implement this week’s Supreme Court order that partially reinstated the ban after it was blocked by lower courts. The new measures are expected to be implemented today.
The opinion of the judges exempts applicants from the ban if they can prove a “good faith relationship” with a US person or entity.
Government lawyers must determine how to define such a relationship. The court offered only general guidelines suggesting that it would include a relative, a job offer or an invitation to give a conference in the US.
