Support migrant centric journalism today and donate
The US Department of State (DoS) has announced that US visa applicants, whose applications were refused under Trump’s Muslim travel ban, can reapply. The former President’s ban affected 13 mostly Muslim-majority nations. The ban was overturned by Biden on his first day in office on January 20, with the President describing it as ‘a stain on our national conscience.’
Spokesperson for the DoS, Ned Price, said: “Applicants who were refused a US visa prior to January 20, 2020 can now submit a new application and pay a new application fee. Those denied a visa on or after the same date may ask for the decision on their application to be reconsidered. There’s no need to resubmit an application or pay extra fees.”
Mr Price added: “Applicants selected in the diversity visa lottery prior to the current fiscal year are barred by US law from being issued visas if they have not gotten them already.” Diversity visas are issued to nationals of countries with low immigrant numbers in the US.
Travel ban revised
Under the Trump administration, the so-called Muslim ban was repeatedly revised and expanded to include more countries. In 2017, a version of the ban was upheld by the US Supreme Court. Since the ban was implemented, some 40,000 people have been refused entry to the US, according to DoS data.
Throughout Trump’s time in office countries were repeatedly added and removed from the list. By the time Trump had left the White House, the following nations remained on the list:
Eritrea
Iran
Kyrgyzstan
Libya
Myanmar
North Korea
Somalia
Sudan
Syria
Tanzania
Venezuela
Yemen
Prior to officially taking office, Joe Biden had vowed to scrap the ban on his first day as President and was true to his word, signing an executive order within hours of his inauguration.
Trump attacked Biden’s promise to end the ban and accused the President of wanting to ‘end all travel bans’, including those imposed on jihadist regions.
The former US President said: “Biden is allowing people into the US who want to blow up American cities.”
Reversing Trump policies
The reversal of Trump’s controversial Muslim ban is one of many measures Biden is taking to ‘rebuild trust with immigrants’ and other nations.
Biden has vowed to ‘push politicians’ for laws that will ‘tackle rising hate crime rates in the US.’ Prior to winning the US election in November, Biden said: “As President, I’ll work with you to rip the poison of hate from our society to honor your contributions and seek your ideas. My administration will look like America with Muslim Americans serving at every level.”
“On day one, I’ll end Trump’s unconstitutional Muslim ban. Muslim communities are the first to feel Donald Trump’s assault on black and brown communities in this country, with his vile Muslim ban. That fight was the opening barrage in what has been nearly four years of constant pressure and insults” Biden added.
Workpermit.com can help with US employment-based visas
If you would like to apply for a US work visa – including L1 visas, E2 visas, O1 visas and H1B visas - Workpermit.com can help.
Workpermit.com is a specialist visa services firm with over thirty years of experience dealing with visa applications. We can help with a wide range of visa applications to your country of choice. Contact us for further details. You can also telephone 0344 991 9222.
