In agreeing to review two rulings by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on President Trump’s March 6, 2017, Executive Order, the Supreme Court reinstated certain provisions of the Executive Order that the lower courts had blocked. The March 6th Executive Order entitled “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” was to suspend visa issuance for individuals from six countries, including Libya, Iran, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days. This provision, often referred to as the “travel ban,” effectively prohibits travel to the United States for individuals from the six affected countries.

Kelli Meilink
Kelli focuses her practice on business immigration law, representing a wide range of employers in obtaining and maintaining employment authorization for foreign national employees on a temporary and permanent basis. Kelli advises employers on workplace compliance matters, including proper completion and maintenance of Form I-9 and E-Verify participation. Kelli also assists foreign national investors and entrepreneurs in their long-term immigration planning.
New Rules Create New Business Opportunities in Cuba
Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) and the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) released new rules easing the remaining travel and export financing restrictions on Cuba, offering new opportunities for U.S. businesses to engage with Cuba.
Visa Waiver Program Changes Included in New Spending Bill
New legislation, included as part of the government spending bill, enacts new changes to the visa waiver program (VWP), imposing additional restrictions on travelers from VWP countries. The new changes require a consular interview for nationals of, or individuals who have traveled to, countries that have supported terrorism or other “high risk” countries, including Syria, Sudan, Iran, and Iraq, since March 2011.
President’s Plan Spells Delays for Travelers
Do you travel outside the U.S. or have employees who do? Our immigration team emphasizes changes that travelers can expect in light of the President’s recently announced plans to combat the threat of terrorism in this recent legal alert.
New Policy Changes Further Ease Trade Restrictions with Cuba
The U.S. Department of Commerce and Department of the Treasury have announced additional changes to the Cuban Assets Control Regulations and Export Administration Regulations intended to facilitate travel, expand telecommunications and internet-based services, and authorize certain business operations in Cuba. Published on September 21, these new policy changes take effect immediately. Among the changes are specific provisions aimed at expanding U.S. presence in Cuba:
Cuba Designation as State Sponsor of Terrorism Rescinded
The U.S. Department of State rescinded Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism today. While the rescission of Cuba’s designation eliminates a major hurdle in restoring diplomatic ties with Cuba, the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba remains in effect, including its restrictions on investment, trade, and travel with Cuba. Congress has the sole authority to lift the trade embargo.
Rescission of Cuba’s designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, however, will affect companies and individuals the following ways:
USITC Investigates Economic Effects of U.S. Restrictions on Trade with Cuba
At the request of the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation to study the economic effects of the statutory and administrative restrictions related to trade with and travel to Cuba on exports of U.S. goods and services. This investigation follows President Obama’s December 17, 2014 announcement to ease economic and travel restrictions against Cuba.
The USITC report will contain:
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A ten-year overview of Cuba’s imports of goods and services, identifying major countries, products, and market segments;
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A description of how U.S. restrictions on trade affect Cuban imports of U.S. goods and services; and
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An estimate of U.S. exports of goods and services to Cuba should the U.S. lift statutory, administrative, and other trade restrictions on U.S. exports of goods and services and travel to Cuba.