Web Alert : U.S. Supreme court permits implementation of Executive Order on immigration

As previously reported by the Club here, on 6 March 2017, President Trump issued Executive Order (E.O.) 13780 which suspended entry into the US for 90 days all citizens from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen except those already holding a valid visa.

On 26 June 2017, the Supreme Court ruled that the 90 day suspension could go into effect, but excepting from the ban those who have a 'credible claim of bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States'. Examples of a bona fide relationship include family relationships, a foreign student admitted to a U.S university, or a foreign worker who has accepted an offer of employment from an American company.

The E.O. came into effect on 29 June 2017. Its implementation should not have a profound impact on the shipping industry. However, crewmembers who do not hold valid visas from the 6 countries will not be able to apply/ be issued new visas during the 90 day period unless they can demonstrate a bona fide relationship with an individual or entity in the U.S.

Freehill Hogan & Mahar has published a Client Alert regarding this subject, available here.

The club will continue to update members regarding this issue