AMN

The US has issued new visa criteria for 6 Muslim Nations and all refugees that require a close family or business tie to the United States. The move comes after the Supreme Court partially restored President Donald Trump’s executive order that was widely criticised as a ban on Muslims.

The new guidelines sent to the US embassies and consulates yesterday say that applicants from the six countries Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen must prove a relationship with a US person or entity in the US. The new measures are expected to be implemented from today.

According to the State Department, Grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, fiancees or other extended family members are not considered to be close relationships.

Government lawyers must determine how to define such a relationship. The court offered only broad guidelines suggesting it would include a relative, job offer or invitation to lecture in the US.