Quoting concerns about national security, President Donald Trump on Wednesday banned citizens from 12 countries, in the first place in Africa and the Middle East, of the entry of the United States and the restrictions of access to citizens of seven other countries, and to revive and expand the policy of the distinguished feature of his first term.
The travel ban applies to the citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Policy change restricts the entry of Burundi citizens, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela outside the United States and do not hold a valid visa.
Policy in effect on Monday at 12:01 am and has no end date.
Here is what to know about the new rules:
How Trump justified the ban
Since his return to the White House, Mr. Trump launched an unprecedented campaign to enforce immigration has pushed the borders of the executive authority and clashed with federal judges trying to do it.
The travel ban on January 20, Mr. Trump, issued by state and internal security departments and the Director of National Intelligence to collect a report on “hostile attitudes” towards the United States
The goal is to “protect its citizens from foreigners who intend to commit terrorist attacks, the threat of our national security, or adopt the abhorrent ideology, or the exploitation of immigration laws for malicious purposes,” the administration said.
In a video clip issued on social media, Mr. Trump tied the new ban on a terrorist attack on Sunday in Buldir, Colorado, saying that he emphasizes the risks offered by some of the visitors who exceeded visas. The suspect in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not listed on the list of Mr. Trump’s restricted. The Ministry of Internal Security says it has exceeded a tourist visa.
From exempt from the ban
- Legal population: citizens of the designated countries who obtained legal residency in the United States;
- Dual Citizens: American citizens who also have a nationality for one of the banned countries;
- Some athletes: athletes and their coaches who travel to the United States for the World Cup or Olympic Games or another major sporting event as determined by the US Secretary of State;
- Afghans who worked in the United States government or its allies in Afghanistan and the owners of private Afghan immigrant visas;
- The Iranians belong to an ethnic or religious minority fleeing the prosecution;
- Some foreign national employees in the American government who served abroad for at least 15 years, their husbands and children;
- Refugees: Those who were granted asylum or accepting the United States as refugees before the embargo was entered into force;
- Individuals with American family members who apply for visas regarding their husbands, children or parents;
- Diplomats and foreign government officials in official visits;
- Those who transfer the United States to the United Nations headquarters only for the official works related to the United Nations;
- Representatives of international organizations and NATO for official visits in the United States;
- Children who were adopted by American citizens.
What are the affected countries
Mr. Trump said that the citizens of the countries listed in the embargo are “terrorist” and “public safety” risks, as well as the risks of overcoming their visas. He also said that some of these countries suffer from examination and examination “incomplete”, or historically refused to restore their citizens.
Its results are widely dependent on an annual internal security report on the visa and visitors of the businessmen and students who arrive by air and sea, and sort countries with high levels of survival after their visas are over.
Mr. Trump said: “We do not want them.”
The inclusion of Afghanistan has angered some supporters who worked to resettle its people. The ban makes Afghan exceptions to special immigrant visas, and generally people who worked closely with the United States government during the war of two decades there.
The administration said in a document distributed on Wednesday evening, if the authorities from the designated countries are “material improvements” on the rules and their own procedures. New countries can be added “with threats all over the world.”
Early reactions to the ban
International relief groups and refugee resettlement organizations have condemned the new ban.
“This policy is not related to national security – it relates to the seeds of the department and distortion of societies that seek safety and opportunity in the United States,” said Abi McCman, President of Oxfam America.
The African Union Committee expressed concern on Thursday about the “potential negative impact” of the ban on educational stock exchanges, trade relations and the broader diplomatic relations.
The committee said in a statement, “The African Union Committee calls on the United States administration to respect to consider adopting a more consultant approach and engaging in a constructive dialogue with the countries concerned,” the committee said in a statement.
The Council of American Islamic Relations, and the largest organization to defend civil rights and advocacy in the country, called “unnecessary, managed, and ideological motives.”
How the ban is different from the year 2017
During his first term, Mr. Trump issued an executive order in January 2017 prohibiting travel to the United States by the citizens of seven Muslim countries mostly, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
It was one of the most chaotic and confusing moments of his small presidency. Travelers from these countries were prevented from either reaching their flights to the United States or detainees at American airports after their landing. Among them are students and faculty members, as well as businessmen, tourists and people who visit friends and family.
The order, which is often referred to as “Islamic ban” or “travel ban” was re -equipped, amid legal challenges until the issuance was supported by the Supreme Court in 2018.
The impact of the prohibition on the various categories of travelers and migrants from Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Libya, in addition to the North Koreans and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.
This story was reported by Associated Press.
