Last updated: March 17, 2025
Disclaimer: Any foreign national considering international travel should have an attorney review the particular circumstances of their case before making firm plans.
Following is a list of recent immigration and/or travel updates:
On March 6, 2025, Reuters reported that a travel ban for nationals of Afghanistan and Pakistan (and possibly other countries) is imminent. On March 14, the New York Times published an expanded potential list, with three categories of “banned” nations. It is not yet known whether the bans will apply to only visa holders, or if they will apply to permanent residents (green card holders). However, in the previous Trump administration, the bans initially targeted all foreign nationals. Presumably the ban will be enforced at U.S. Ports of Entry (i.e., a "travel ban") vs. a visa issuance ban; however details are not yet available on this point either. The bans could take effect at any time, possibly Friday, March 21 which would be 60 days following the January 20, 2025 review ordered by an Executive Order mandating a vetting and screening security analysis.
Red: All travel banned - Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen
Orange: Visas sharply restricted - Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Turkmenistan
Yellow: 60 days to address concerns - Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, Zimbabwe.
On February 28, 2025, USCIS announced a new policy regarding instituting removal proceedings for applicants who are denied certain benefits applications. According to the policy, USCIS will issue a Notice to Appear (“NTA”, a charging document instituting removal/deportation proceedings) if an applicant is not in status when a benefit request is denied.
On February 25, 2025, USCIS announced an “Alien Registration Requirement” mandating registration with the U.S. government for certain individuals. An Interim Final Regulation is due to be published on March 12. An advance copy of the rule is available in the Federal Register.
Refer to our January 2025 post here for previous updates: https://www.jspvisa.com/blog/2025/january2025travelupdates.
Reminder: Changes are rapidly evolving and may not be immediately posted here.
© Jewell Stewart Pratt Beckerson & Carr PC 2025