We have prepared a serious of Questions and Answers below addressing some of the most commonly asked questions with regard to this Executive Order (EO). GT will continue to monitor developments and provide up to date information.
Q1: What do the provisions of the EO address?
A1: The provisions of the EO address several issues:
1. Ban of entry to the United States for nationals of seven countries: Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, and Syria, whether with nonimmigrant (temporary) or immigrant (permanent) visas for 90 days. At the conclusion of 90 days, the ban is not automatically lifted; instead, there are a number of affirmative steps listed in the EO to once again enable such entry.
2. Suspension of the Visa Interview Waiver program for all visa applicants. Instead, the U.S. Department of State will mandate visa interviews for all applicants for nonimmigrant visas, with the following exceptions:
a. Diplomatic and official visa applicants (A-1, A-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1 through-6, C-2, and C-3);
b. Visa applicants who are under 14 or over 79 years of age;
c. Visa applicants who previously held a visa in the same category, which expired less than 12 months before the present visa application.
3. Ban of entry to refugees to the United States from Syria indefinitely.
4. Reduction of the total number of refugees to enter the United States in Fiscal Year 2017 to 50,000.
5. Establishment of requirements for “extreme vetting” for a finding of eligibility of refugee status.
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