Administration mulls inclusion of 36 nations in extended travel ban roster
Scoop: The U.S. federal government is taking a hardline stance on international travel, as Secretary of State Marco Rubio warns that a whopping 36 countries could find themselves on the travel ban list if they can't meet stringent security protocols within 60 days. Potential candidates for the ban include nations like Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, and a host of others, threatening to cause a global stir.
From terrorism concerns to trust issues with identity documents and passports, these nations are on thin ice, and a "questionable" security situation could very well land them in hot water. To make matters worse, some citizens from these nations have been known for overstaying their visas, putting further pressure on the ongoing visa process[4].
State Department officials are firm, stating that the safety of Americans and adherence to U.S. laws are their top priorities. The memo also mentions the importance of foreign nationals obeying the law and staying within the bounds of immigration regulations[5].
Donald Trump's second term has seen a continued emphasis on border control and travel bans, with the latest ban on Afghanistan raising severity concerns for individuals seeking asylum there after assisting the U.S.'s "war on terror" efforts[6]. Immigration teams have reportedly ramped up efforts to round up individuals of color, leading to protests and legal challenges in California and beyond[4].
It seems the U.S. government is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to tighten immigration controls, using national security concerns as a driving force[1][2][3]. As the deadline approaches for these 36 countries, only time will tell which ones will make the cut, potentially marking one of the largest U.S. travel bans in history, affecting a diverse range of nations across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean[1].
[1] https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/the-state-department-may-add-36-countries-to-trumps-travel-ban-list[2] https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/17/politics/state-department-travel-ban-proposal/index.html[3] https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/544845-marco-rubio-memo-36-nations-may-face-travel-ban-if-they-dont-improve[4] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56318622[5] https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-state-department-weighs-expansion-travel-ban-list-amazon-warehouse-workers-2021-03-17/[6] https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-immigration-border-control-donald-trump-z2e1f9173fc5e078103c7d84a3b65bc5
- Eco-tourists might be impacted by the looming travel ban, as 36 countries could be restricted from entering the U.S. due to security concerns.
- The policy-and-legislation surrounding travel bans and border control has been a hot topic in politics, with Donald Trump's emphasis on these issues continuing into his second term.
3.General news outlets have been covering the potential expansion of the travel ban list, which could affect a diverse range of nations across Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.
- Crime-and-justice advocates have raised concerns over the reported increased efforts by immigration teams to round up individuals of color, leading to protests and legal challenges.
