What Does a “Bona Fide Relationship” Mean for Your Travel Plans?

So, you’re ready to come to America to be with your family, but the news seems to change every day. Can you still travel to the U.S.? Will you be allowed to stay?

Let’s start at the beginning. As of today, everything that has gone into effect is temporary: The Supreme Court has ruled that certain parts of the original “travel ban” can continue for now, and that it will hear the case this October. What that means is, if you have a “bona fide relationship” with a person or an entity in the United States, you are still allowed to come here.

But what does “bona fide relationship” mean? ABC News explained it this way:

• “A foreign national who seeks to enter the United States to live with a family member, such as a spouse or mother-in-law. The court said a ‘close familial relationship is required.’
• A student who has been admitted to study at an American university.
• A worker who has accepted an offer of employment from an American company.
• A lecturer invited to address an American audience.”

The State Department has also issued a list of which family members will count as close: parent, spouse, child, son or daughter-in-law, sibling (including step and half) and fiancé/fiancées. Everything is still in a state of flux right now, and this could change at any time, so it doesn’t necessarily mean that a different family member won’t be able to come to the U.S.

The other thing to remember is this: it is only limited to foreign nationals from six specific countries – Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – and it only lasts for 90 days. Then, SCOTUS will be back in session and ready to hear the case.

In short, if you already have your visa, and you are planning to some to Tennessee or somewhere else in the U.S. to live and work, the chances are really, really good that you’ll still be allowed to travel here. This is part one.

Part two involves another temporary halt on refugees for 120 days – but only refugees from those six countries, and only if they cannot prove that they have a bona fide relationship. This will be harder on those seeking asylum, of course, because most individuals who seek refuge are more concerned with survival than anything else. Still, there is light at the end of the tunnel, because the Court lifted the indefinite ban against Syrian refugees.

Immigration in Tennessee

Immigrants play a vital role in Tennessee’s culture. Nearly 5% of the state’s population is foreign-born, but 6% of our workforce is made up of immigrants, as reported by The Tennessean. There are more than 21,000 immigrant entrepreneurs in our state, men and women who are creating a better and more interesting world for all of us. Their businesses employ more than 57,000 people, and contributed nearly half a billion dollars in state and federal taxes.

In short, Tennessee is better because of immigrants from across the globe. You can hear it in the music, taste it in the food, see it in the vibrant colors and art work in every major city and every small town – but especially here in Knoxville, which has some of the best Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurants in the state.

We know that the travel ban is worrying to a lot of people – and it should be. But for now, we want you to know that your plans are likely to move forward. If you do experience a problem with your Visa or with travel restrictions, the right Knoxville immigration attorney can help. You can contact LaFevor & Slaughter by calling 865-637-6258, or filling out this contact form. We’re here to help.