12 Nations Face U.S. Entry Ban Ordered by Trump: Details

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    President Donald Trump has reinstated and expanded a travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries and limited entry for those from seven additional nations, citing national security threats. The policy is largely directed at individuals from Africa and the Middle East, aligning with his controversial measures during his first term.

    The ban includes people from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Stricter regulations are also in place for travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela without valid U.S. visas. The restrictions began on Monday and are open-ended.

    Upon reassuming office, Trump intensified immigration enforcement through executive actions, occasionally clashing with judicial institutions attempting to check his reach. This travel ban is rooted in his January 20 directive requesting assessments from the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and National Intelligence on nations considered hostile.

    Trump’s administration justified the decision with a focus on barring individuals potentially involved in terrorism, threatening national security, spreading harmful ideologies, or abusing immigration laws. In a social media video, Trump linked the ban to a recent Colorado terrorist incident involving an Egyptian national who had overstayed his U.S. visit, despite Egypt not being on the restricted list.

    Exemptions exist for specific categories, including green card holders, dual nationals, athletes partaking in major global competitions, Afghans with U.S. affiliations, and refugees or asylum seekers admitted before the new policy. Others granted exceptions include certain U.S. government foreign employees, diplomats, and individuals on official U.N. business.

    The administration claims that countries under the ban present terrorism and public safety risks, have citizens prone to visa overstays, or possess inadequate vetting systems. Countries’ inclusion or removal is contingent on addressing these issues, though new threats could prompt changes.

    Guidance from the State Department instructed diplomatic missions to maintain visas already issued under the old criteria, barring revocation of those previously processed. However, unissued visas will not proceed unless applicants qualify for specific exemptions.

    The current policy echoes one early in Trump’s presidency, aimed at several predominantly Muslim countries and creating widespread confusion among travelers. The previous order, also criticized as a “Muslim ban,” underwent legal challenges until a revised version was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. It initially affected countries like Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, along with North Korea and specific Venezuelans.

    International reactions to the new measures cover a spectrum from outrage to reluctant acceptance, considering the implications on bilateral relations. Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro denounced the move as discriminatory, while Chad’s leadership signaled reciprocal actions against U.S. citizens.

    Organizations like Oxfam criticized the policy as divisive and counterproductive to U.S. principles of opportunity and safety for immigrants. Within affected countries, public opinion varied, with some citizens perceiving bias, especially regarding the representation of predominantly Black nations.

    Conversely, some individuals, like Cuban-American William Lopez in Miami, voiced support for Trump’s directives, associating them with necessary immigration controls and national interests.