GUWonder

<deleted by moderator> the above second paragraph wasn't in the original post until after I had responded and pointed out how the above link even sort of validates exactly what I had said earlier.

TWA884

Reminder!

Posts discussing the effect of these travel restrictions on the US labor market, the arbitrariness of the selection of countries whose citizens are affected and the new US administration's motivation to make these changes have been deleted.

Please feel free to discuss those topics in OMNI/PR.

Thank you,

TWA884
Travel Safety Security Co-moderator

GUWonder

This is scary:

From the article posted by Markie.

lonelycrowd

Iranian media is reporting the same. (My wife is translating some of the coverage from Farsi.) More concerning, in the past couple hours it has been reported that CBP is detaining folks who were in transit. Lawsuits are underway, which may preclude the speedy repatriation of such individuals. Feels like the VWP enhancements all over again, but this time so much more desperate.

I know that my wife's friend traveling IKA-DOH-ORD didn't make it. Not sure if she was bounced at IKA or DOH. There are reports that all seats between IKA and US destinations were filled (or at least purchased) on Friday evening; one person with a recently issued visa paid $8k out of desperation for a QR J ticket and didn't make it. Astoundingly, the same scammers who charge ridiculous sums to fill out diversity visa entries (and often do it wrong, causing serious problems when one of their customers actually wins!) are marketing their services today, claiming that they have access to charter flights still boarding to the US via Oman and they can get visa and green card holders there for just $3k.

I will heed the moderator's warning against "going OMNI," but I'm stunned to think about how different my situation would be if I had chosen slightly different flight dates and gone south of the border for our usual January vacation. Surely, the tourist visas held by Iranian green card holders to third countries will start expiring soon. I guess the 180-day visa free access for green cards to Canada and Mexico is officially invalidated now for Iranians, as they presumably don't want such individuals stranded on their soil? So much for a conference my wife was looking forward to in Montreal.

It's still early to go there, but I have a feeling that I will remember this week as one that shaped the trajectory of my life when I'm being interviewed for my granddaughter's social studies homework in 40 -50 years. Even if by some miracle this passes quickly, the feeling of helplessness in these days is likely to push me closer to policy-related work in some shape or form. I'm also going to start looking for academic jobs in Canada again immediately - I already interviewed up there and was truly impressed by the options they offer for family reunification.

GUWonder

When speaking of high-income, democratic countries these past 50 years, this seems like it may indeed be the most extreme change for legal permanent residents in their own country of legal residence that I've ever encountered. This kind of governmental approach has a huge travel impact, no matter how it's sliced and diced.

Those VWP changes were a relative joke compared to this apparent destruction of the rights of large groups of law-abiding, US LPRs.

lonelycrowd

Another unprecedented update coming through my wife's network just now - CBP in Blaine, WA just rejected a couple of LPR's who had just gone across the border to visit a specialty food store in British Columbia. (Due to OFAC restrictions, the ethnic groceries in Canada tend to be a bit better stocked with authentic Persian items than those stateside, so it's a common trip for Persians in the Seattle area.) CBP told them that they should plan to hang out in BC for at least the next 3 months. CBSA apparently readmitted them to Canada without incident, which I suppose at least puts them in a better position than those in airport detention right now.

Dennis88

That's all I have to say.

This is going to have implications that no one can even begin to grasp at this point.

You might want to forward this info to any of the major news websites if it hasn't been done by now; I think the entire American population deserves to hear about this.

bawr

"While respecting the American people and distinguishing between them and the hostile policies of the U.S. government, Iran will implement the principle of reciprocity until the offensive U.S. limitations against Iranian nationals are lifted," a Foreign Ministry statement said."

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-us...KBN15C0NR?il=0

reclusive46

at least they are in Canada.

televisor

There are approximately 200 countries in the world. Subtract a handful, and most are still eligible for automatic validation.

And the Visa is not in effect valid. It is only valid during the dates printed on the Visa. Your US admission status might still be valid, but the Visa is NOT valid.

And you have similar situation if your studies or training program are extended: your Visa might be expired, but you can still travel to Canada/Mexico without having to return home and obtaining a new Visa to cover the remainder of your visit.

mre5765

After being duly tried and convicted for illegally crossing the border, the criminal record would be sufficient grounds for deportation.

They should rent a boat.

GUWonder

Most may, but a lot may not. And that goes beyond for just those from blacklisted countries. But you're welcome to open another thread on that to try to get that discussion going during these interesting times.

GUWonder

Revoking LPR status isn't a legally required procedure before deporting a recognized US LPR?

Even with a boat they could be required to report in person to a port of entry and detained and denied entry in much the same way as those detained and denied entry at US airports of entry.

mre5765

I never said it wasn't. I went straight to the end game.

It is bad advice to sneak across the border. It's a trap.

I disagree with preventing LPRs with no criminal convictions from re-entering the USA, and I suspect the courts will eventually concur.

petaluma1

Protest taking place at JFK:

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local...412046833.html