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ImmIGRATION February 19, 2021 | The Indian Eye 46
state dept. exempts ceRtain tRaveLeRs
FRom RestRictions:
is there a Better way so That
the Least number get impacted?
cYrus d. mehTa have valid visas or Elec- Students traveling economic recovery from exceptions for qualified
tronic System for Travel from the Schengen Area, the COVID-19 pandem- travelers seeking to en-
n February 10, Authorization (ESTA) the UK, and Ireland with ic and bolster key compo- ter the United States for
2021, the De- may travel to the United valid F-1 and M-1 visas nents of our transatlantic purposes related to hu-
Opartment of States while the PP re- do not need to contact relationship,” DOS said. manitarian travel, public
State (DOS) announced mains in effect following an embassy or consulate H-2A and certain health response, and na-
that certain business the procedures below, to seek an individual na- H-2B travelers who have tional security.
travelers, investors, trea- DOS said. tional interest exception been present in South
ty traders, academics, to travel. Students seek- Africa may qualify for is theRe
students, and journalists also, on January ing to apply for new F-1 national interest excep- a betteR way?
may qualify for nation- or M-1 visas should check tions “if they are pro-
al interest exceptions 28, 2021, dos an- the status of visa services viding temporary labor hile these ex-
ceptions are
under the Presidential nounced that certain at the nearest embassy or services essential to Windeed salu-
Proclamation (PP) cov- h-2 travelers from or consulate. Applicants the United States food tary, the Covid-related
ering travelers from the who are otherwise qual- supply chain.” A non-ex- proclamations instituted
Schengen Area, United south africa may ified for an F-1 or M-1 haustive list of covered
Kingdom (UK), and Ire- qualify for national visa will automatically be occupations includes by Trump and contin-
land. Qualified travelers considered for a nation- seafood processors, fish ued by Biden still cause
who are applying for or interest exceptions. al interest exception to cutters, salmon roe tech- untold hardship. More-
over, nothing has been
travel. nicians, farm equipment done to alleviate the
Business travelers, mechanics, and agricul- hardship of those im-
investors, academics, J-1 ture equipment opera- pacted by Trump’s im-
students, journalists, and tors. Applicants applying
treaty traders who have a for a visa will be consid- migrant visa ban, Procla-
valid visa in the appropri- ered for an exception at mation 10014, and work
ate class or an ESTA au- the time of interview, visa ban, Proclamation
10052, that were insti-
thorization issued before DOS said. “Travelers tuted by Trump under
the PP’s effective date, who already hold valid the cover of Covid-19
or who are seeking to H-2A or food-supply- but were actually based
apply for a visa, and be- chain related H-2B visas
lieve they may qualify for and believe they meet on the erroneous theory
a national interest excep- the exception criteria that noncitizens enter-
ing the US on legitimate
tion should contact the should follow the pro- visas threatened the jobs
nearest U.S. embassy or cedures set forth on the of US workers during
consulate before travel- Embassy/Consulate web- the pandemic.
ing. If a national interest site where their visa was
exception is approved, processed for consider- lthough these
m of they may travel on either ation for an exception,” two proclama-
CYRUS D. MEHTA & PARTNERS PLLC a valid visa or ESTA au- DOS said. The exception Ations were ex-
thorization, as appropri- criteria only apply to H-2 tended by Trump at the
ate. travelers and applicants end of December 2020
“Granting national subject to a January 25, with a validity date of
interest exceptions for 2021, Presidential Proc- March 31, 2021, that end
this travel to the United lamation due to physical period is too far away
States from the Schen- presence in South Africa. and continues to sepa-
gen area, UK, and Ire- DOS said it continues rate noncitizens from
2 6th Floor
land, will assist with the to grant national interest family members and
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