This page contains the latest updates on the Presidential Proclamations/Travel Bans.
February 5, 2020
President Trump has signed a presidential proclamation that suspends certain immigrant visa issuance to foreign nationals from several additional countries, with some exceptions. Immigrant visas allow individuals to enter the U.S. as permanent residents (green card holders). Nonimmigrant visas (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B) are not impacted by the latest presidential proclamation. The effective date of the proclamation is February 21, 2020. The Davis International Center will continue to monitor this situation and provide updates on any relevant changes (e.g., court decisions).
Foreign nationals from:
- Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar (Burma), and Nigeria will not be issued any immigrant visas under the new order, with the exception of Special Immigrant visas based on having provided assistance to the U.S. government.
- Sudan and Tanzania will not be issued Diversity Lottery immigrant visas. They are still eligible for other types of immigrant visas, however, including those pursuant to family-based and employment-based immigrant visa petitions.
The new proclamation also provides exemptions for:
- Current U.S. lawful permanent residents;
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-restricted country;
- Foreign nationals who hold a valid U.S. visa (e.g., F-1, J-1, H-1B) or advance parole; and
- Those who are physically in the United States or hold a valid visa or other travel document on the effective date of the new proclamation.
If you are Princeton University student, scholar (e.g., faculty, researcher), or staff member and have questions about how this impacts you or want to discuss your unique situation please reach out to Albert Rivera in the Davis International Center. More detailed information is available by clicking here.
Source: Fragomen Worldwide Alert, January 31, 2020
June 26, 2018: Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the latest version of a presidential proclamation on the travel ban. As we reported previously, in December 2017 the Court allowed the ban to go into effect pending final decision by the Court. Yesterday’s decision leaves the ban unchanged.
Nothing in this ruling changes your exempt status if you were exempt under the Proclamation. Please review the Fragomen Worldwide Alert for a more detailed discussion of the decision. If you are a Princeton University student or scholar and have questions about the presidential proclamation/travel ban, or the Court ruling, please contact a Davis International Center advisor.
Please also see Princeton University President Christopher L. Eisgruber’s statement on the Court decision.
December 8, 2017: Following the Supreme Court ruling of December 4, 2017, the U.S. State Department announced a resumption of the travel restrictions effective 12/8/2017. The announcement clarifies that visa's that were issued before 12/8/2017 are still valid and will not be revoked and it provides a summary of existing travel restrictions under the Proclamation.
December 4, 2017: The U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency stay of preliminary injunctions issued by the U.S. District Courts of Hawaii and Maryland. This permits the Trump Administration to fully enforce the September 24, 2017 travel ban proclamation (see below) until lower courts have ruled on this issue. Unless we receive contrary guidance from the government we will assume the restrictions outlined in the presidential proclamation are now back in effect. A more detailed description of the September 24th proclamation can be found below. It's important to note that persons in the U.S. when the original proclamation was issued are exempt from restrictions but are still subject to extensive vetting as part of a visa application. Staff of the Davis International will continue monitoring the situation as it develops. Please reach out to a Davis IC advisor with any questions, concerns, or before making international travel plans.
Source: Fragomen Worldwide Client Alert, 12/4/2017
September 24, 2017 Travel Ban Proclamation Summary :
The Trump Administration is imposing new travel restrictions on certain nationals of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen, under a presidential proclamation issued on September 24, 2017. The new restrictions, some of which take effect on October 18, 2017, follow a U.S. government review of worldwide visa security measures and the expiration of the Administration's previous travel ban. Unlike the previous travel bans, this Proclamation is more targeted and the restrictions vary by country.
Among those exempt from the travel restrictions are:
• U.S. lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders)
• Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-restricted country (e.g., French-Iranian)
• Foreign nationals who were in the United States on the applicable effective date, regardless of immigration status
• Foreign nationals who have a valid visa on the applicable effective date
This means if you are already in the United States and affiliated with the University, in valid F-1, J-1, or H-1B status, an exemption applies. The White House has posted some FAQ’s on the Proclamation. In addition, please review the Fragomen Worldwide Immigration Alert for a more thorough summary.
Even if an exemption applies to your situation, we recommend you consult with a Davis International Center advisor prior to making international travel plans. This is particularly important if you will be traveling after your visa stamp has expired. Extensive security reviews, referred to as Administrative Processing, and possibly long delays will still be part of the visa application process.
Advisory Information:
The following are links to advisories that may provide some additional and useful information. Please note that these sources are unaffiliated with Princeton University and do not constitute the University’s legal advice:
1. Fragomen Worldwode Immigration Law Firm: Fragomen Worldwide Client Alert, 11/20/2017
2. Fragomen Worldwide Immigration Law Firm: Fragomen Worldwide Client Alert, 10/17/2017
3. Fragomen Worldwide Immigration Law Firm: Fragomen Worldwide September 25, 2017 U.S. Client Alert
4. Fragomen Worldwide Immigration Law Firm: Fragomen Worldwide June 26, 2017 U.S. Client Alert
5. Fragomen Worldwide Immigration Law Firm: Immigration in the Trump Administration: What You Need to Know
6. NAFSA Assoc. of International Educators: Executive Order Travel Ban Summary, Travel Advisory, and FAQ's
7. AILA - American Immigration Lawyers Association Practice Alert: DHS and DOS Implementation of Executive Order Imposing Travel and Refugee Ban.
Campus Resources:
Students and scholars who have concerns about the Executive Order Travel Ban are welcomed and encouraged to reach out to all campus resources, which can be helpful to their well-being and success during this difficult and stressful time. Although many individuals on campus will be sensitive to the needs of all students, the following resources are specifically available to assist you.
Confidential Campus Resources
1. Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS)
Calvin Chin, Director [email protected] 609-258-3285
2. Office of Religious Life (ORL)
Imam Sohaib Sultan [email protected] 609-258-3042
3. Carebridge Assistance Program for faculty and staff:
https://www.princeton.edu/hr/benefits/worklife/carebridge
Other Campus Resources
1. Center For Career Development
Kimberly Betz, Executive Director [email protected] 609-258-0650
2. Davis International Center (general immigration information),
Albert Rivera, Director [email protected] 609-258-5012
Tayla Burns, Deputy Director t[email protected] 609-258-8775
3. Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Understanding
Tennille Haynes, Director [email protected] 609-258-5895
4. Financial Aid and Student Employment Office (undergraduate)
Benjamin Eley, Associate Director [email protected] 609-258-3330
5. The Graduate School
Julie Yun, Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion [email protected] 609-258-1328
6. Housing (Undergraduate and Graduate)
Dorian Johnson, Director of Housing, [email protected], 609-258-1908
7. International Internships (undergraduate):
Shahreen Rahman, Director, International Internship Program, [email protected] 609-258-7350
8. Non-Resident Tax Compliance and Reporting Office
Kristy Holmes, Senior Associate Director, Global Financial Services, Financial Services [email protected] 609-258-3734
9. Office of Admission (undergraduate)
[email protected] 609-258-3060
10. Office of the Dean of the College (undergraduate)
Khristina Gonzalez, Associate Dean [email protected] 609-258-1013
11. Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Students (ODUS)
Kathleen Deignan, Dean [email protected] 609-258-5431
12. Office of the Provost
Aly Kassam-Remtulla, Associate Provost for International Affairs and Operations [email protected] 609-258-8003
13. The Pace Center for Service and Civic Engagement
Evan Schneider, Program Coordinator, [email protected] 609-258-7443
14. Payroll Office
Lora Benson, Payroll Manager [email protected] 609-258-6056
15. Registrar’s Office
Jonathan LeBouef, Associate Registrar [email protected] 609-258-3363
16. Residential Colleges
Claire Fowler, Sr. Assoc. Dean of the College
[email protected] 609-258-5519
Mike Olin, Assoc. Dean [email protected] 609-258-3052
17. Study Abroad (undergraduate)
Gisella Gisolo, Director [email protected] 609-258-1010