US lays out visa norms for 6 Muslim nations

Washington, June 29

Visa applicants from six Muslim-majority countries must have a close US family relationship or formal ties to a US entity to be admitted to the United States under guidance distributed by the US State Department.

The directive defined close family as a parent, spouse, child, adult son or daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law or sibling, including step-siblings and other step-family relations, according to a cable distributed to all US diplomatic posts on Wednesday and seen by Reuters.

Close family “does not include grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancés, and any other ‘extended’ family members,” according to the cable, first reported by the Associated Press.

Immigration experts noted that fiancés, grandparents and grandchildren did not qualify as a close family relationship.

It also specified that the relationship with a US entity “must be formal, documented, and formed in the ordinary course, rather than for the purpose of evading the EO,” referring to the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump on March 6 that barred most US travel by citizens of the six nations for 90 days.

The cable advises US consular officers on how to interpret Monday’s Supreme Court ruling that allowed parts of the executive order, which had been blocked by the lower courts, to be implemented while the highest US court considers the matter.

The six nations included in the executive order are Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. The travel ban will go into effect at 8 pm EDT (midnight GMT) on Thursday, the cable said. Asked about the guidance issued on Wednesday night, the State Department declined to comment on internal communications.

The cable’s language closely mirrored the Supreme Court’s order on the travel ban, but appeared to be a narrow interpretation in some areas, notably in defining close family.

It was unclear on Wednesday evening whether the State Department’s interpretation of the court’s order would spark further legal action by opponents of the ban.

Several immigration lawyers expressed surprise on Wednesday evening that fiancés, grandparents and grandchildren were not covered. “This language is extremely disappointing,” said Johnathan Smith, legal director at Muslim Advocates, a civil rights group.

“Defining close family to exclude grandparents, cousins, and other relatives defies common sense and directly goes against the intent of the Supreme Court’s order.”

The directive gave several examples of what might constitute a bona fide relationship with a US entity, and said broad categories would be exempt from the travel ban, such as people eligible for student visas, “as their bona fide relationship to a person or entity is inherent in the visa classification.”

Similarly, those eligible for family or employment-based immigrant visa applications are exempt from the travel ban, the cable said. Trump’s executive order also imposed a 120-day ban on entry to the United States by refugees. — Reuters

Bill to provide 3,000 visas to Tibetans reintroduced

Washington:  A bipartisan legislation to provide visas to Tibetans was reintroduced in US Congress by two lawmakers, saying it will help the Tibetan settlements in India and Nepal. The Tibetan Refugee Assistance Act provides 3,000 immigrant visas to qualified displaced Tibetans over a three-year period.

“The US has a long record of giving humanitarian assistance to other countries in need, including providing refuge to those persecuted abroad,” said Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, who reintroduced the Act in the House of Representatives.

“The US has a long record of giving humanitarian assistance to other countries in need, including providing refuge to those persecuted abroad,” he said. The Bill supports the well-being of the Tibetan exile community as they strive to find a peaceful solution for Tibet; helps the overburdened settlements in India and Nepal; and gives displaced Tibetans the opportunity to flourish as Tibetan-Americans. — PTI

Republicans struggle to salvage healthcare effort

Washington: The top US Senate Republicans struggled on Wednesday to salvage major healthcare legislation sought by President Donald Trump, meeting privately with a parade of skeptical senators as critics within the party urged substantial changes.

Republican leaders hope to agree on changes to the legislation by Friday so lawmakers can take it up after next week’s Independence Day recess. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday abandoned plans to seek passage of it this week because Republicans did not have 50 votes to pass the bill.

For seven years, Republicans have led a quest to undo the 2010 law known as Obamacare, Obama’s signature legislative achievement. Trump made dismantling it a top campaign promise during last year’s presidential campaign but policy differences within the party have raised doubts Republicans can achieve a repeal.

Democrats have unified against the Bill and Republicans control the Senate by a slim 52-48 margin, which means McConnell can afford to lose only two Republicans. So far at least 10, including moderates and hard-line conservatives, have expressed opposition to the current bill, although some indicated they would vote for it with certain changes. PTI