The Trump Administration is turning its attention to birth tourism again. President Trump was reportedly considering trying to end the practice with an executive order or by way of a constitutional challenge. But accomplishing the goal through regulation has been on the Department of State’s (DOS) agenda. DOS published a final rule on January
Travel (General)
Poland to Become Latest Addition to Visa Waiver Program
By Michael H. Neifach on
Poland will become the 39th member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on November 11, 2019.
Polish citizens and nationals will be able to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa stamp — but they first must register online with…
Ready for REAL ID?
By Minnie Fu on
October 1, 2020, is the REAL ID deadline, and most people will not be able to board even a domestic air flight in the U.S. without either a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or a passport.
Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 based on recommendations from the 9/11 Commission. The Transportation Safety Administration…
Rescue Efforts, Immigration Implications in Dorian Aftermath
By Michael H. Neifach on
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is directly involved in Hurricane Dorian rescue efforts. So far the agency’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) has airlifted over 80 people, including citizens of the Bahamas and citizens of the U.S., from the ravaged Abaco Island and Grand Bahama to Nassau for medical treatment and shelter. CBP is also…
Denials, Delays for Foreign Students, Scholars
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) cancelled an incoming Harvard freshman’s visa and deported him back to Lebanon eight hours after arriving at Boston’s Logan International Airport to start his college career. CBP detained the incoming student along with several other international students who were ultimately admitted to the U.S. According to reports, CBP deemed Ismail…
Facial Recognition Technology in Use for Air Travelers
On your next international trip, you may see facial recognition technology in use. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) started piloting this technology in late 2018. Now, in conjunction with various airlines, the use of facial recognition technology is growing and at some airports it is being used for everything from identifying passengers at gates to…
Travel Restrictions to Cuba Affects Cruise and Other Industries
By Anna L. Susarina on
Posted in Travel (General), Trump Administration
Critics say new federal restrictions on travel to Cuba may lead to a half million fewer visitors to the island annually and small, private business owners definitely will be hurt by confusion caused by those restrictions.
…
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Changes Coming for Travel to Europe
By Nicola Ai Ling Prall on
Posted in Department of State, Travel (General)
The days of spontaneously traveling to Europe on a whim are coming to an end for U.S. citizens. For many years, U.S. citizens have been able to travel to most European countries with only a valid U.S. passport as a travel document. In 2021, the European Schengen Zone will be requiring a registration similar to…
Full Enforcement of REAL ID Act Set for October 1, 2020
By Brian E. Schield on
Posted in Legislation, Travel (General)
Because some of the 9/11 terrorists used fraudulent driver’s licenses to travel, Congress passed the REAL ID Act in 2005 to comply with the 9/11 Commission’s recommendation that the federal government establish minimum standards for the issuance of forms of identification, such as state driver’s licenses. After many starts, stops, and delays, the deadline…
Bill for New Visa Waiver Program for Caribbean States to Enter U.S. Virgin Islands Introduced
By Nadine T. Trinh on
While all citizens of 38 (primarily European) visa waiver-eligible nations may enter the U.S. Virgin Islands for up to 90 days using ESTA, and United States citizens may enter most of the Caribbean Community Member States (CARICOM) for tourism or as business visitors without a visa, citizens of CARICOM cannot enter the U.S. Virgin Islands…