A modified version of Donald Trump’s travel ban temporarily prohibits nationals from six Muslim-majority countries and refugees from obtaining a visa to enter the US, if they cannot prove “a bona fide relationship” with a person or entity in the United States.
Parents, children, sons-in-law and daughters-in-law and step-siblings are accepted as “bona fide relationships” by the Trump administration, but grandparents, nephews, nieces, cousins and others are not. Fiances were originally placed in the excluded group, but have since been accepted.
Those seeking to prove ties with a US entity, such as an employer or university, must provide evidence of a “formal, documented” relationship that was “formed in the ordinary course of events”. For refugees seeking resettlement, many of whom have no existing ties to the US, the state department has said that a “formal assurance” from a resettlement agency is not enough to prove such a tie.
If you are refugee awaiting resettlement or are from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan Syria or Yemen and have been affected by the ban, we’d like to hear from you. You can fill in the form below – anonymously, if you prefer – and we’ll use a selection of responses in our reporting. The form is encrypted and only the Guardian can see your responses.
