Two bills went to the House Judiciary Committee that could potentially provide protection to those who wish to enter the U.S. The ultimate goal of these bills is to prevent the creation of future travel bans.
The National Origin-Based Anti-discrimination for Non-immigrants Act, or NO BAN, seeks to stop discrimination based on religious affiliations and limits the president’s ability to bar individuals based on their nationality. The Access to Counsel Act of 2021 aims to ensure those held at U.S. ports of entry, whether U.S. citizens or foreign travelers, have the ability to access legal counsel.
Previous travel bans, commonly referenced as the “Muslim ban”, were the result of executive orders by President Trump. The bans limited travel to the U.S. for non-citizens from specific countries that have a Muslim-majority. Additional bans were enacted that included specific African and Southeast Asia countries. President Biden rescinded these bans on his first day in office.
The NO-BAN and Access to Counsel Act both passed in the House in July 2020, however, were not adopted to become a law.
The House Judiciary Committee is at the forefront of many issues facing the U.S., including immigration reform.
If you have questions about any immigration issues or travel-related questions, contact our attorneys at ILBSG. Our attorneys are up to date on the latest in ongoing immigration reform. We work with you to ensure you get the right advice.
