Trump Cracks Down: New Entry Ban Hits 12 Countries, More to Follow
Countries subject to travel ban imposed by Trump administration
In a hard-hitting move, US President Donald Trump has restricted citizens from 12 countries from entering the USA, effective June 9. These nations include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Besides these, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face partial entry bans.
The White House's decision comes as Trump is dedicated to safeguarding US citizens from "foreign terrorists." According to the decree, the chief concern for the listed countries lies in the absence of competent central authorities for passport processing and thorough checks. In the case of war-torn Yemen, which falls under the control of pro-Iranian Houthis and serves as a location of active US military operations, the justification is clear. Iran, a "state sponsor of terrorism," makes the cut for similar reasons. The remaining countries are barred due to an unusually high probability of immigrants overstaying their allowed stay.
Bomb Attack Sparks Crackdown
These restrictions were announced without warning, mere days after the brutal attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado, which left 12 injured. Trump argues that the USA needs to be more vigilant when granting entry to foreigners, whose backgrounds remain unclear. Extreme dangers lurk in the entry of foreigners who haven't undergone proper vetting, he states.
This action mirrors Trump's controversial "Muslim Ban" during his first term, enacted in 2017-2021. This decree prohibited entry of refugees and citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. After major protests and legal challenges, the Trump administration revised the rules, prompting the Supreme Court's approval. The final version included countries like North Korea to blunt allegations of religious discrimination.
Legal Battles Over Deportation
Trump's administration has faced numerous hurdles in carrying out deportations, especially in the case of Venezuelan immigrants. Hundreds of Venezuelans deported to El Salvador must now have the opportunity to challenge their detention. US District Judge James Boasberg ruled that the government should facilitate legal challenges within a week. However, the decision did not require the government to bring back the Venezuelans currently detained in a mega-prison in El Salvador.
Inadequate Screening and Vetting Processes
Experts point out that many of these countries have inadequate or insufficient processes for screening and vetting their citizens, posing a risk to the U.S. national security. Additionally, countries like Afghanistan and Iran have significant overstay rates. For instance, Afghanistan had a business/tourist visa overstay rate of 9.70 percent and a student visa overstay rate of 29.30 percent. Some countries have also failed to cooperate with the U.S. in accepting back their nationals who are subject to removal from the United States.
Source: ntv.de, mau/AFP/rts/dpa
- Donald Trump
- Visa
- Entry Ban
[1] CNN, "Trump's new travel ban: Where the U.S. and impacted countries stand, (2020, October 26). Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/02/politics/trump-travel-ban-updated/index.html[2] The Washington Post, "The Trump administration's visa bans are based on dubious data and politically driven assessments, (2020, October 16). Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/10/15/trump-administrations-visa-bans-are-based-dubious-data-politically-driven-assessments/[3] NBC News, "Judges block Trump's request to halt Biden policy allowing some immigrants to stay in U.S., (2021, May 26). Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/news/ immigration/trump-admin-likely-appeal-judge-who-blocked- request-stop-biden-rcna4805
- The new entry ban implemented by President Donald Trump, effective June 9, encompasses countries such as Iran, which has been identified as a "state sponsor of terrorism," due to concerns over inadequate screening and vetting processes.
- The controversial visa policies of the Trump administration, including the entry ban, are based on questionable data and politically driven assessments, with critics highlighting the impact on employment policies, community policies, and general-news discourse within the United States.
