Trump's New Travel Ban: 19 Countries on the Restricted List
U.S. imposes travel restrictions on residents from 12 specified nations - United States imposes travel restriction on individuals from twelve specified nations
Donald Trump, the American president, has made a move that's got quite the buzz - he's barred citizens from 19 countries from stepping foot in the US. By putting pen to paper, President Trump seeks to safeguard American citizens from "foreign threats," as per the White House's Wednesday publication. The ban kicks off on June 9 and touches nearly half the world, affecting folks from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Somaliland, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan, with some facing partial restrictions.
Interestingly, this decision follows the gruesome attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado, leading to 12 injuries. In a video message, Trump pointed out that the recent attack emphasizes the terrifying risks that come with freely allowing foreigners into the country who haven't undergone thorough background checks. He also belabored the fact that many of these countries blatantly abuse America by refusing to accept deportees.
A Response to the Colorado Attack
Recent events prove that the importance of thorough checks can't be overstated. The assault in Colorado was allegedly carried out by Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian ex-pat, whose US visa had expired a couple of years earlier. This individual hurled Molotov cocktails at a loosely organized group protesting for the liberation of Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip. According to the White House, Soliman was solely in the US illegally.
A Case of deja vu? Muslim Ban v2.0?
History seems to be repeating itself as we recall Trump's controversial "Muslim Ban" from his previous term (2017-2021). The ban barred refugees and citizens from some predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. However, Iraq was later removed from the list. The initial ban issued without warning caused pandemonium at airports all around the globe. Even people with valid visas faced detention or rejection. After intense protests and legal battles, the Trump administration revised the rules.
Come June 2018, a revised version of the ban saw the Supreme Court upholding it, with additions such as North Korea. The inclusion of certain non-majority Muslim countries supposedly protected the administration from accusations of religious discrimination. In spite of stringent regulations, some individuals managed to slip through the cracks - diplomats, for instance.
Joe Biden, Trump's successor and a Democrat, revoked the decree just hours after taking office in January 2021.
- Donald Trump
- Travel Ban
- USA
- Colorado
- Boulder
- Afghanistan
Enrichment Data:The current ban has both full and partial restrictions for citizens from 19 countries. The ban subjects Afghanistan, Myanmar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Somaliland, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan to travel restrictions, with partial restrictions applied to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela as well. [1][3][4]
Exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis for individuals traveling for U.S. national interests, and specific exceptions have been provided for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and certain persecuted minorities from Iran. [2]
The ban does not include a general waiver process for urgent humanitarian cases, which could potentially result in humanitarian concerns. [3]
- The Commission, in light of the recent events and the Colorado attack, may be asked to submit a proposal for a policy and legislation to improve the process of thorough checks for foreigners entering the USA, particularly those from war-and-conflicts zones.
- With President Trump's new travel ban tantamount to a revised version of the controversial "Muslim Ban" from his previous term, the political implications and the question of religion-based discrimination cannot be overlooked in the general news and crime-and-justice context.
- As the new travel ban unfolds, it is crucial to examine the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation during conflicts, such as in countries like Afghanistan, where people might be involved in handling and disposing of radioactive materials from military activities or nuclear facilities.
