Seeing as the ESA (http://www.theesa.com/article/entertainment-software-associations-statement-new-u-s-travel-policy/), GDC (https://twitter.com/Official_GDC/status/825553192415019008), IGDA (https://twitter.com/IGDA_ED/status/825729785469005824) et al (https://www.katsbits.com/smforum/index.php?topic=912.0) are too busy letting everyone know how the "Muslim Ban (https://www.katsbits.com/smforum/index.php?topic=912.0)" is terrible, doing very little to actually help those potentially caught in the middle of the controversy. Here's a few things to look into if you are, or might be, one of the unfortunate;
The following is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or otherwise formal advice. Where appropriate, consult a qualified representative for advice, support or assistance.
- Check if the suspension actually applies to you
- the following Countries are (currently) subject to the Executive Order (https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/01/27/executive-order-protecting-nation-foreign-terrorist-entry-united-states); Libya, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Sudan. - Check your employment status
- are you a Temporary Worker (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-nonimmigrant-workers), a Student (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment), (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment)Intern (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment), on (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment)Work Placement (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/students-and-exchange-visitors/students-and-employment), a Permanent Worker (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/permanent-workers), or Overseas Worker; the rules differ significantly for each 'status' type so be clear about the conditions under which you are working or providing labour (Overseas Workers, that is individuals that freelance, work-for-hire, or provide otherwise short-term or project-to-project contract based labour outside the United States with no requirements for travel, are not typically subject to Visa requirements UNLESS they intend to enter the United States). - Contact your employer
- if you have not yet been contacted by your employer, their HR department or legal representatives, get in touch with them. Check your employment status with the company/business/venture, especially where H-1B's are concerned ("H-1B Specialty Occupations, DOD Cooperative Research and Development Project Workers, and Fashion Models (https://www.uscis.gov/working-united-states/temporary-workers/h-1b-specialty-occupations-dod-cooperative-research-and-development-project-workers-and-fashion-models)"). - Get informed
- read through the appropriate section(s) of the U.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services (https://www.uscis.gov/) et al website to make sure you understand your duties and obligations with respect to the Visa authorising your working for a U.S. based business, i.e., "Understanding H-1B Requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/eir/visa-guide/h-1b-specialty-occupation/understanding-h-1b-requirements)". - Do you need to travel to the United States
- determine whether travel to/from the United States is a condition of employment/work; the Executive Order currently only affects travel to/from the Countries listed above, not work by itself, which is controlled by different rules and regulations (per "Check your employment status" above, 'work' as a function is not subject to the ban unless there is a requirement the provider of labour is expected to travel to the United States - providing freelance services from a Country subject to the Executive Order does not necessarily prohibit service provision based in/from those locations). - Contact the appropriate U.S. Embassy
- the U.S. Embassy services (https://www.usembassy.gov/) represent the United States interests in a given region and will be versed on appropriate actions available; Libya (https://www.usembassy.gov/libya/), Somalia (https://www.usembassy.gov/somalia/), Yemen (https://www.usembassy.gov/yemen/), Syria (https://www.usembassy.gov/syria/), Iraq (https://www.usembassy.gov/iraq/), Iran (https://www.usembassy.gov/iran/) and Sudan (https://www.usembassy.gov/sudan/). - Contact local Department of Employment
- advice may also be sought from your regional 'department of employment'.