Donald Trump’s announcement Wednesday night, made without consultation or warning to Europeans, took everyone by surprise, starting with travelers. What if you are planning a trip to the United States or France? Who can enter the territory and how? Update on the new rules that come into effect Friday evening at midnight.
To whom does the ban apply?
The "presidential proclamation" that sets the new rules does not apply to US citizens or permanent residents, that is, holders of green cards. An exception is also granted to close family members of a citizen or permanent resident: spouse, unmarried child under 21 years of age, brother or sister also unmarried under 21 years of age and parent. If you are in the United States on visa but married to an American citizen, you will be able to enter.
In addition, diplomats and employees of international organizations (visas A and G in particular) are also exempt.
All others (Visa, Esta) are affected by the ban, regardless of their nationality. Whether you are a tourist or you live in the United States on visa, you will not be able to enter the territory.
Travel history
But beware: the criterion is not that of nationality, but of presence during the 14 days preceding entry into American territory in a country in the Schengen area. The United Kingdom and Ireland are excluded from the list. A Frenchman from London will therefore be allowed to enter, provided that he has not been to France in the previous 14 days. Conversely, a Canadian national who had gone to France in the previous two weeks would be barred from entering the United States. The countries concerned: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia , Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
If you plan to go through a third country (Canada for example), forget: your air route can easily be consulted by the border police and you would be turned back from the country.
In addition, the ban takes effect from midnight Friday evening. This means that all persons on a flight which has taken off from its departure point before midnight New York time (5:00 am Paris time Saturday morning) will be allowed to enter.
Limited entries for citizens
Citizens and other persons authorized to enter the territory will not, however, be able to do so anywhere. The Trump administration has announced that only a limited number of airports will be able to accommodate them. These are airports that are sufficiently equipped to be able to carry out the necessary checks and possibly the quarantine required. This list has not yet been published, but will likely be the same as that for flights from China:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
- Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), California
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
- Dallas / Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Michigan
