In January and March, the Trump administration implemented travel bans affecting foreign nationals who have visited China or Iran 14 days prior to seeking entry to the U.S. These travel bans have been a part of efforts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus, and to lessen the load on the U.S healthcare system. Over the past weekend, the Trump administration has now expanded the travel ban to include the vast majority of Europe. The countries that are affected by the new Europe travel ban are Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. The initial Europe travel ban exempted the United Kingdom and Ireland, but were recently added onto the list of banned countries on March 14, 2020.

Several categories of people are exempt from the ban such as U.S citizens, lawful permanent residents, their spouses, and their children under the age of 21 are exempt. However, even those exempted will be required to travel through airports where screenings will take place.

Reaction to this new wave of travel bans has been mostly negative from Europe. EU leaders have criticized the Trump administration for taking unilateral action without consulting their European counterparts. Furthermore, EU leaders insist that combating COVID-19 require cooperation between countries. Other organizations have also criticized the framing of the pandemic as a foreign virus by the White House.

Despite temporary immigration politics aimed at stopping the spread of the virus, the most important thing is for the general public to exercise healthy and hygienic practices. Be sure to wash your hands often and for at least 20 seconds, practice social distancing by avoiding close contact with groups of people, avoid touching your face, cover your mouth if you have to cough, and stay at home if you are sick.

Keeping up to date on travel restrictions in response to world events, such as the coronavirus, is important especially if you have plans to travel. Here at Zhang & Associates, we try to keep you informed and ready so that you may travel with ease. If you have any questions or concerns regarding any immigration related issue, our seasoned staff will be happy to help. For a free evaluation on your case or situation, please email us at info@hooyou.com.

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Former U.S. Consular officer, Attorney Sechyi Laiu joined Zhang & Associates, P.C. on June 26, 2017

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu specializes on Consular Processing cases and business development. Attorney Laiu also focuses on TN visas, E visas, CBP administrative proceedings (monetary confiscation, deferred inspection), and overseas financial compliance.

Prior to joining Zhang & Associates, P.C., Attorney Laiu worked for the U.S. Department of State as a Chinese and Portuguese speaking diplomat. As a consular-coned officer who served in Vancouver (Canada), Shenyang (P.R. China), and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Attorney Laiu processed over 30,000 visa cases and worked in every section of Consular Affairs overseas (Fraud Prevention Unit, Immigrant Visas, Non-Immigrant Visas, and American Citizen Services).

He will use his experience and expertise to deliver the highest quality of service to our clients.

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Founded in 1996, Zhang & Associates, P.C. offers legal services to clients worldwide in all aspects of U.S immigration law. We have successfully handled over ten thousand immigration cases.

At Zhang & Associates, P.C., our attorneys and supporting professionals are committed to providing high-quality immigration and non-immigration visa services. We specialize in NIW, EB-1, EB-5, PERM, I-485 I-130, H-1B, O, L and J cases. In the past twenty-two years, we have successfully helped over ten thousand clients get green cards. If you plan to apply for a green card, please send your CV to Attorney Jerry Zhang (info@hooyou.com) for a free evaluation.

Zhang & Associates, P.C.

Silicon Valley • New York • Los Angeles • Chicago • Houston • Austin • Seattle • Sunnyvale • Madison • Honolulu

Tel:	1-800-230-7040, 713-771-8433
Email:	info@hooyou.com
website:	http://www.hooyou.com

 

(03/19/2020)