COVID-19 Travel Guidelines | Civil Rights Digest | Census | New Donation Benefits!
COVID-19 Travel Guidelines
READ: The US Department of State has scheduled flights for US citizens stuck in other countries
TRAVEL OUT OF THE UNITED STATES
The Department of State advises U.S. citizens to reconsider travel abroad at this time due to the global impact of COVID-19, and has issued a “Global Level 4 Health Advisory – Do Not Travel.” For those not in the U.S., the Department of States advises that they “consider returning to your country of residence immediately using whatever commercial means are available.”
If you or someone you know is currently stranded outside the U.S., please direct them to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), a free service allowing U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. STEP allows U.S. citizen travelers to receive immediate assistance and support from the relevant embassy or consulate in the event of an emergency, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information and to enroll, please visit the STEP website.
If you are considering flying, please contact your airlines to determine if there are any additional changes or restrictions implemented by airline carriers.
TRAVEL TO THE UNITED STATES
The U.S. has banned the entry of all foreign nationals who have been physically present in China, Iran, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK or Ireland 14 days before their arrival in the U.S.
These travel restrictions impact all foreign nationals with the exception of
U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (“green card holders”) or certain family members of U.S. citizens or green card holders:
Spouses of U.S. citizens or green card holders
Unmarried children of U.S. citizens or green card holders under the age of 21
Siblings of U.S. citizens or green card holders as long as both sibling and U.S. citizen or green card holder are unmarried and under the age of 21
Those who were physically present in the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau
Those who were physically present in any of the overseas territories of the United Kingdom outside of Europe, known as “British Overseas Territories”
American citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their immediate families who are arriving from impacted area must travel through one of 13 airports where DHS has established enhanced entry screening capabilities:
Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS), Massachusetts
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Illinois
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Texas
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW), Michigan
Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), Hawaii
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Georgia
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
Los Angeles International Airport, (LAX), California
Miami International Airport (MIA), Florida
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), New Jersey
San Francisco International Airport (SFO), California
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), Washington
Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), Virginia
All those returning from the impacted area must self-quarantine for 14 days after their arrival.
From March 21 through April 20, travel into the U.S. across the Canada and Mexico borders is limited to “essential travel” only. “Essential travel” includes:
U.S. citizens and green card holders continue to be permitted to enter the U.S. for:
Travel for medical purposes
Travel to attend educational institutions
Traveling to work in the U.S.
Lawful cross-border trade
“Essential travel” does not include tourism, sightseeing, recreation, gambling, or cultural events.
For additional guidance, please visit U.S. Embassy and Consulate site.
VISA ISSUANCE
The Department of State is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Embassies and consulates will cancel all routine immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020. Embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services.
24 Hour Consular Emergency Line: U.S. 1.888.407.4747 / Outside the U.S. 1.202.501.4444
For additional guidance, please visit U.S. Embassy and Consulate site.
Thank you to CAIR-California for compiling this fact sheet!
CAIR-Chicago is working with our elected U.S. representatives to assist US citizens who may be stuck. Please follow ALL the steps below to get started.
Make sure that the individual stuck abroad has registered with the Department of State STEP program.
Find the Embassy website of the country that you (or your loved one) is trapped in and check for any additional resources & information.
Please fill out this form and CAIR-Chicago will contact the appropriate elected officials and federal agencies on your behalf.
If you have any questions or need additional assistance, please email CAIR-Chicago Deputy Director Sufyan Sohel at ssohel@cair.com
CAIR-Chicago expresses our deepest empathy and solidarity to our community during the Coronavirus pandemic. We have created a COVID-19 Resources page on our website for our community to find the latest information on COVID-19 and the policies addressing it.
Below are some basic guidelines provided by the IL Department of Health to help you say safe and healthy during this time:
Remember to check in with loved ones and support those most at risk:
the elderly, the hungry and the immunocompromised. Actions such as financial assistance, delivering groceries and necessary supplies can save lives.
For those enduring work and school closures, we have included additional resources to help you and your families through this time:
Chicago: Mutual Aid COVID-19 Support Request
COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefits
All CPS to Offer Free Meal Pickup During Coronavirus Closure
Available Chicagoland Childcare Workers
Chicagoland Dining Options for Take-Out and Delivery
Overall Federal Government Information and Resources
How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus
We encourage you to reach out to us for support as needed. We are here to serve you, your families, and our communities. Please contact us if we can be of service.
Need Care? Give Care!
We are proud to partner with IL Muslim Civics Coalition on the CARE COALITION.
CARE COALITION is a grassroots and inclusive partnership of social/civic organizations and neighbors.
CARE COALITION is a CONNECTOR between residents who NEED CARE with those who can GIVE CARE.
All races, faiths, and backgrounds are welcome!
Phone Hotline: 866-ICARE20 or 866-422-7320
Civil Rights Report
Weeks of March 19th, 2020 to April 2nd, 2020
A Muslim citizenship applicant who was interviewed in January 2019 never received notice of the oath ceremony more than a year later.
A Turkish man and his family were detained and interrogated during travel, both domestic and international, despite having valid visas and passports.
A Muslim man who has been waiting for his green card since he applied for it in August 2019 is now also seeing delays in the processing of his work authorization documents.
A Muslim man was visited by the FBI after returning from Hajj in Saudi Arabia last year.
Two Muslim men need legal assistance in criminal proceedings, one to defend against a trespassing charge and one who was arrested in a sting operation.
A Muslim businessman who got a loan from a bank and was paying it off regularly feels he was discriminated against by the bank when it started demanding larger monthly payments for no apparent reason.
Be Counted! Pledge to take the 2020 Census
Yesterday was Census Day! The Census is HERE and we must ALL be COUNTED! It is crucial to secure funds, resources and our political power in Illinois for the next 10 years. Make sure to complete it between now and August 2020 and make our voices heard!
DONATE
We need your help now more than ever!
With the onset of COVID-19 in America, we're seeing a surge in hate crimes.
Asian minorities all over the country are facing discrimination because of xenophobia and racism brought to the surface of American society because of Coronavirus. Lawmakers are even using the virus to justify the Travel Ban. That's why we still need your help in these trying times. While our most of our lives are seeing unprecedented disruption, know that hate isn't stopping.
Newly passed federal legislation allows non-profit donations of up to $300 to be included as tax-deductible benefits for 2020!
Consider donating to CAIR-Chicago today to receive your tax-deductible benefit! We depend on our community to continue providing our legal services and advocacy efforts to you at no cost and truly appreciate your support.