JUNE 3RD, 2017 – JUNE 10TH, 2017
VOLUME 13 - NO. 22
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NEW RULES FOR US VISA
Information on social media accounts and emails now required
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he Donald Trump administration is making it more difficult for people in Turks and Caicos Islands and other parts of the world to get visas to enter the United States of America. The Trump administration approved the harsher vetting process which allows consular officials to ask US visa applicants for social media handles, email addresses and phone numbers from the past five years, addresses, employment and travel history going back 15 years, and all previous passport numbers.(See page 2 for new form) The new questions, part of an effort to tighten vetting of wouldbe visitors to the United States, was approved on May 23 by the Office of Management and Budget despite criticism from a range of education officials and academic groups during a public comment period. Critics argued that the new questions would be overly burdensome, lead to long delays in processing and discourage international students and scientists from coming to the United
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States. Under the new procedures, consular officials can request all prior passport numbers, five years’ worth of social media handles, email addresses and phone numbers and 15 years of biographical information including addresses, employment and travel history. Officials will request the additional information when they determine “that such information is required to confirm identity or conduct more rigorous national security vetting,” a State Department official said. The State Department said earlier the tighter vetting would apply to visa applicants “who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related visa ineligibilities.” While the new questions are voluntary, the form says failure to provide the information may delay or prevent the processing of an individual visa application.
Immigration lawyers and advocates say the request for 15 years of detailed biographical information, as well as the expectation that applicants remember all their social media handles, is likely to catch applicants who make innocent mistakes or do not remember all the information requested. Some analysts said that the new questions grant arbitrary power to consular officials to determine who gets a visa with no effective check on their decisions. However, every person trying to get into the U.S. may not necessarily be subjected to the increased vetting. A State Department official is reported as saying that consular officials will only require applicants to provide additional information when they feel it is needed to “confirm identity or conduct more rigorous national security vetting.” The State Department also explained that the questionnaire also was voluntary; however, application approval is at risk of being delayed if
an applicant who has been requested to fill out the form decides not to. Despite the Trump administration’s strong-armed stance on tightening vetting procedures, the State Department previously said the heightened security measures would apply only to visa applicants deemed as a potential threat to national security and those “who have been determined to warrant additional scrutiny in connection with terrorism or other national security-related ineligibilities.” The newly approved vetting process has sparked criticism from several American academic groups, who argue the constricted procedures could affect international students studying in the U.S. Recently, more than 50 academic and educational groups requested that the State Department reconsider the new application measures, stating that the changes may cause “uncertainties and confusion” and “unacceptably long delays in process” for students hoping to further their education in the states. Continue on Page 2
Gansevoort recognizes over 40 employees at Second Annual Recognition Cocktail event
ansevoort hosted its Second Annual Recognition Cocktail event to recognize their employees who went above and beyond the call of duty to provide service excellence. The event took place at the Gansevoort hotel on Wednesday 31st May 2017. During the event over 40 employees at the Gansevoort hotel were awarded. Employee of the Month winners 2016 were Woodson Pierre Louis, Karen Watt – Scott, Lucienne Handfield, Bodlet Louis, Weke Dorvil, Loroy Missick, Janette Green Linsey Rigby, Dianne Williams, Obed Dupre, Samuel Joseph, Marie Durand, Jackson Williams, Roosevelt Boucard, Dadou
Gibson, Yvette Henderson, Collet Beal Celianise Brunel, Jean Millien, Alba Melendez and Jean Theresias. Supervisor of the quarter winners were Deborah Powell, Jullette Bowen, Yvette Henderson and Kenrico Hall. 43 staff members received trip advisor mentions for 2016. Employee of the year winners for 2016 was Karen Watt-Scott, Bodlet Louis, Roosevelt Boucard and Shanice Williams. Walking away as Supervisor of the year winner for 2016 was Deborah Powell. Pictured here are some of the awardees, Managers and staff members of Gansevoort hotel. (See Page 26 &27 for more photos)