Following the release of the latest iteration of President Donald Trump’s travel ban earlier this week, the U.S. Travel Association has weighed in on what it means for travel to the United States.
"Security adjustments rooted in legitimate concerns will always be a fact of life for travelers,” said U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President for Public Affairs Jonathan Grella in a written statement. “It's essential that changes be clearly communicated and that there be both an incentive and a pathway for affected countries to bring themselves back into compliance, and the Department of Homeland Security and State Department have been doing a good job checking those boxes.
"The American travel community continues to feel that both security and economic objectives could benefit from a clear message that these policy moves are tailored to specific issues. The world needs to know that they are not intended to discourage travel generally, and that legitimate business and leisure travelers are as welcome as ever in the United States," Grella said.
The revised ban adds Chad, North Korea and Venezuela to the list of countries subject to it. Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia are again included in the order, while restrictions placed on the Sudan have been lifted.
The travel ban on those who lack a credible claim of a bonda fide relationship with a person or entity of the United States took effect September 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET. The restrictions and limitations take effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on October 18, 2017, for all other foreign nationals subject to the ban, and for nationals of Chad, North Korea, and Venezuela.
The restrictions do not apply to lawful permanent residents, any dual national of a country designated, any foreign national traveling on a diplomatic or diplomatic-type visa or any foreign national who has been granted asylum; any refugee who has already been admitted to the United States, among other exceptions. Individuals with valid visas are also exempt.
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