The Trump Administration is considering a travel ban expansion. The travel ban arose through Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations. Presidential Proclamation 9645 suspends entry of foreign nationals into the United States from countries that fail to meet minimum requirements for immigration vetting and screening. The Supreme Court upheld this Proclamation. The Trump Administration believes it is the President’s duty to take action to ensure the safety of the American people.
Countries Currently Covered by Travel Ban and Expected to Continue with Travel Ban Expansion
Currently, the travel ban in place covers seven countries:
- Iran
- Libya
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Syria
- Venezuela
- Yemen
There are several points of concern for the Trump Administration with respect to these countries. Issues include deficiencies on management of identities, ability to share information, and various practices and protocols that do not meet minimum requirements to ensure the security of the United States.
Countries That May Be Included in the Travel Ban Expansion
As reported by The Associated Press, up to seven additional countries may be included in the travel ban expansion. These countries might include several that had been noted in earlier iterations of the current travel ban, but were later removed ostensibly to withstand legal objections. Countries that had been noted in the original travel ban but were later removed include:
- Chad
- Iraq
- Sudan
What Does This Mean?
Companies with facilities located in countries that are included in the travel ban expansion may face delays or new requirements for transferees and their family members. Companies that have employees originating from these countries may need to provide additional assistance on issues related to family support services.
Many countries currently included in the travel ban have economies operating on a sub-par or extremely uneven level, as compared to other countries experiencing economic growth. Often these countries face difficult issues including military conflicts and significant out-migration. For example, select metrics show the following economic performance for Iran, Venezuela, and Yemen, all currently included in the travel ban and likely to continue with the travel ban expansion:
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| GDP (USD bn) | $44. | $392 | $424 | $459 |
| Economic Growth | 4.6% | -1.3% | 13.4% | 3.8% |
| Inflation Rate | 14.3% | 8.4% | 8.2% | 7.2% |
| Public Debt (% of GDP) | 11.8% | 38.4% | 47.5% | 39.5% |
Source: Focus Economics
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| GDP (USD bn) | $212 | $324 | $279 | $144 |
| Economic Growth | -3.9% | -6.2% | -17.0% | -15.7% |
| Inflation Rate | 68.5% | 181% | 274% | 863% |
| Public Debt (% of GDP) | 28.5% | 74.7% | 92.3% | – |
Source: Focus Economics
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | |
| GDP (USD bn) | $33.2 | $26.7 | $24.8 | $28.0 |
| Economic Growth | -10.6% | -30.3% | -14.8% | -5.9% |
| Inflation Rate | 8.2% | 12.0% | -12.6% | 24.7% |
| Public Debt (% of GDP) | 48.7% | 54.9% | 68.0% | 76.2% |
Source: Focus Economics
What Should Employers Impacted by the Travel Ban Expansion do?
Employers should keep informed about the upcoming travel ban expansion. They should also review the extent of the company’s operations in these countries. They should determine the number of employees that may be impacted by the travel ban expansion and develop communication plans that address points of concern for employees and their family members.
Conclusion
Global Mobility Solutions’ team of global relocation experts has helped thousands of our clients with visas, work authorizations, and travel documentation requirements. Our team can help your company understand how to prepare for the upcoming travel ban expansion.
GMS was the first relocation company to register as a .com. The company also created the first online interactive tools and calculators, and revolutionized the entire relocation industry. GMS continues to set the industry pace as the pioneer in innovation and technology solutions with its proprietary MyRelocation® technology platform.
Global Mobility Solutions is proud to be named and ranked #1 Overall, and #1 in Quality of Service by HRO Today’s 2019 Baker’s Dozen Customer Satisfaction Survey.
Contact our experts online to discuss how your company can prepare for the travel ban expansion, or give us a call at 800.617.1904 or 480.922.0700 today.
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Sam Hoey | CRP, GMS
Senior Vice President, Global Account Management Sam joined Global Mobility Solutions in 1996 and has a unique perspective with her 25 years of industry experience. Samantha offers her clients relocation expertise and a commitment to excellence in her. Her proficiency in orchestrating the BVO and GPO Programs, as well as relocation policy design and implementation, are invaluable assets to the accounts she manages. Her experience in administering Pre-Decision Relocation services to enhance the recruiting process further demonstrates her unique abilities to service her clients. Samantha’s diverse experience, leadership, and outstanding communication skills enable her to manage the relocation process for her clients with finesse and polished professionalism.
