The European Union has stepped up efforts to persuade the United States to exempt EU citizens legally residing in the US from the travel ban, as both sides consider the next stage in opening-up borders for international travel in the wake of coronavirus. However, the presidential order means that thousands of people who had expected to travel to the United States for work later in 2020 will be unable to do so. Other categories of foreign residents in the United States are permitted to re-enter, though they must abide by quarantine and other health requirements in each state on their return. In the letter, the ambassadors point out that current US coronavirus travel rules mean that EU citizens resident in the United States are banned from entering the US if travelling from the Schengen area or Ireland. Less than five months before the presidential election, immigration is returning to the political agenda in the United States.

Source: The Irish Times June 24, 2020 05:51 UTC