On Friday, Jan 27th, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order changing America's immigration policy. The order prevents immigration from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen for 90 days, suspends all refugee admission for 120 days.
During the suspension, the vetting process for refugees was under review and potentially under reform. Team Elevate's newly signed Super Smash Bros. for Wii U player, Ramin "Mr. R" Delshad, has already expressed his concerns about traveling to the U.S. for events:
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Mr. R currently lives in the Netherlands but he is of Iranian descent. Seeking an answer that could guide his Smash career plans, he reached out to the U.S. Embassy and received the following email:
Well.... that was fast
— BKROG | Ramin (@Mr_RSmash) January 30, 2017
Emailed the U.S. department of state as well, but they'll probably respond with the same thing
RIP pic.twitter.com/7dGIkpZTGb
The order does not affect American citizens with dual citizenship in one of the seven nations. Eager on finding a clear answer, Mr. R looked into information regarding dual citizenship:
So today the US goverment provided more information about the dual citizenship ban and it seems they ARE allowed in the country? pic.twitter.com/E2rX4mJ9Nc
— BKROG | Ramin (@Mr_RSmash) January 31, 2017
An article posted by CNN Politics explains that persons holding dual citizenship with any of the seven aforementioned nations are also not permitted to enter the U.S. during this 90 day period.
“Travelers who have nationality or dual nationality of one of these countries will not be permitted for 90 days to enter the United States or be issued an immigrant or non-immigrant visa,” a State Department official said. “Those nationals or dual nationals holding valid immigrant or non-immigrant visas will not be permitted to enter the United States during this period. Visa interviews will generally not be scheduled for nationals of these countries during this period.”
It seems that Mr. R, as well as any others with exclusive or dual citizenship in the seven nations mentioned in the order, will not be allowed to attend American events for the next 90 days. To continue his Smash career, Mr. R has made the decision to travel to Japan to prove that the ban will not affect is passion and desire to play.
Even if I'm not banned from the US, I'm still gonna go to Japan for anime plot purposes
— BKROG | Ramin (@Mr_RSmash) January 31, 2017
However, as of Feb 4th, The U.S. State Department will allow people with valid visas into the United States, a department official said on Saturday. This is being done in order to comply with an opinion from a federal judge in Seattle which bars President Donald Trump's executive action.
"We have reversed the provisional revocation of visas," the State Department official said in a statement. "Those individuals with visas that were not physically canceled may now travel if the visa is otherwise valid."
I'm glad @Mr_RSmash can make enter USA again and in time for civil war! His team really needs him haha
— 2GG (@2GGaming) February 5, 2017
Many people and organizations in the Smash community are excited and relived that Mr. R can travel back to the United States to compete this spring and summer.
Team Note: We at Smashboards wish Mr. R, as well as other players in the FGC across the globe, well in their futures. In tumultuous times such as these, we can still stand united as a community. Stayed tuned to Smashboards.