Will the international travel ban effect any FRC teams?

[I_AM_Clayton]

For the next 90 days, nearly all travelers, except U.S. citizens, traveling from Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen will be temporarily suspended from entry to the United States. The 90 day period will allow for proper review and establishment of standards to prevent terrorist or criminal infiltration by foreign nationals.

This comes straight from the United States Homeland Security site. Although this 90 day ban won't stretch out until champs, will this effect any FRC teams located outside of the US traveling in for regionals? I don't know for sure but I don't think that there are many FRC teams if any at all in those countries. I'm not exactly sure but I assume that there are a few FLL or FTC teams in these countries. How will this effect the FIRST community going forward in the future? I believe this hurts the chances of students and people in those countries that want to start FIRST teams let alone travel to the US for regionals/champs.

[jaredhk]

Even if there are not FRC teams in those countries directly, the way everything is headed and working right now will cause problems for people from many more countries.

Even more so, I'm not sure that if I came from a non-English speaking country I would feel so welcomed here right now (don't get me wrong - I'd love to have you here).

[JB987]

The new edict may also affect many visitors from other countries as well. IIRC, visitors to the US from many other countries will be required to interview at our consulates in person to get their visas...possibly adding considerable time and cost for visa processing as foreigners may have to travel great distances to find one of our consulates to interview at.

[lurker]

The 90 day ban does extend until world champs. The first day of St. Louis (April 26) is 88 days after the ban (assuming effective Jan 28). So the ban extends to all of Houston champs and until the very last day of St. Louis.

The reason why I know this is because I'm a dual citizen of Canada and Iran so when this news broke I thought I wasn't going to be able to attend champs. But it was later announced that Canadian dual citizens would not be effected so at least there's that.

Thankfully, no countries that are home to any FRC teams are on the ban list so I don't think we'll see a case where a whole team is unable to go because of the ban.

[jaredhk]

Originally Posted by lurker

The reason why I know this is because I'm a dual citizen of Canada and Iran...Thankfully, no countries that are home to any FRC teams are on the ban list so I don't think we'll see a case where a whole team is unable to go because of the ban.

There are still plenty of people being detained and questioned with dual citizenship and Green Card Holders.

CNN Politics has an article that may help people see the depth and magnitude to which the new ban applies.

[Munchskull]

Originally Posted by lurker

The 90 day ban does extend until world champs. The first day of St. Louis (April 26) is 88 days after the ban (assuming effective Jan 28). So the ban extends to all of Houston champs and until the very last day of St. Louis.

The reason why I know this is because I'm a dual citizen of Canada and Iran so when this news broke I thought I wasn't going to be able to attend champs. But it was later announced that Canadian dual citizens would not be effected so at least there's that.

Thankfully, no countries that are home to any FRC teams are on the ban list so I don't think we'll see a case where a whole team is unable to go because of the ban.

Assuming that your Canadian passport does not scream duel citizenship you could try driving into to Buffalo then flying from there.

[lurker]

Originally Posted by Munchskull

Assuming that your Canadian passport does not scream duel citizenship you could try driving into to Buffalo then flying from there.

It's been officially stated that Canadian dual citizens will not be effected by the ban so I should be fine.

[jaredhk]

Originally Posted by lurker

It's been officially stated that Canadian dual citizens will not be effected by the ban so I should be fine.

This is probably true but at the same time, we all need to exercise extra caution - even full citizens in the United States.

[MooreteP]

This will have a more profound effect on FLL teams.

[Tsukunea]

If some teams will be unable to compete purely because of this, either competitions need to be pushed back or teams protest the ban, especially when competitions start. FIRST is about having a level playing field, and if the playing field will not be level, we need to all work to make it level.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Tsukunea

If some teams will be unable to compete purely because of this, either competitions need to be pushed back or teams protest the ban, especially when competitions start. FIRST is about having a level playing field, and if the playing field will not be level, we need to all work to make it level.

Competition dates won't change. There's way too much involved in scheduling locations (Other weekends are most likely already full throughout the competition season), cost for teams that have already booked hotel and travel, and overall planning for the entire season, including shipping logistics for the fields. It's just too late to reasonably make changes.

The rules FIRST produces go towards making a level playing field by ensuring production time and cost of robots is roughly equal, but they don't make it completely level. Teams with the resources to make practice robots have a benefit over those who don't. Teams that have no snow days during the season have a benefit over those that are locked out of their school. Teams with a local even have a benefit over those that have to drive/fly and stay in a hotel. Teams with events in their country have a benefit over those that have to take a robot through customs (We've actually seen customs officials arbitrarily make teams disassemble parts of their robot and use separate bags for the different parts, requiring extensive reassembly time at the event). And then there's a difference for teams in districts versus regionals.

Yes, if any teams are affected by this it really sucks. I wish I could do something for them. But we can't let that stop the season for the other 3000 teams out there.

[mrnoble]

This topic has the potential to explode into politics, but we are in an extraordinary time. My team includes undocumented students and middle-eastern immigrants, and there is legitimate concern about travel plans, since we intend to fly to Utah and Houston. We may have to divide the team up into flyers and drivers based on nation of origin. As the President would say, SAD.

[Hitchhiker 42]

Doesn't mean we shouldn't try to help those teams affected in some way. Just because the playing field is a little uneven doesn't mean that we should just make it even more uneven.

[FrankJ]

Elements of this executive order were obviously poorly considered. (Some will find this an understatement ) Expect it to change as the ramifications get fully explored. In other words: it is too early to tell.

[Tsukunea]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

Yes, if any teams are affected by this it really sucks. I wish I could do something for them. But we can't let that stop the season for the other 3000 teams out there.

Your sympathy seems pretty half. You can do something, everybody can. Teams should stand up for each other.