U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a full travel ban for 12 countries, with strict limits on a further seven.
The measures will take effect on Monday and reinstate the restrictions Trump had in place during his first presidential term.
He cited the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, as a catalyst for the new measures.
Highlights
- Trump announced a sweeping travel ban on 12 countries and heightened restrictions on 7 more, effective Monday.
- The ban targets countries with high visa overstays, terrorism ties, poor vetting, and refusal to repatriate nationals, according to Trump.
- The policy reinstates travel restrictions from Trump’s first term, citing the Boulder terror attack as a trigger.
Donald Trump has placed travel bans and restrictions on 19 countries
Image credits: The White House
“The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas,” Trump said.
“We don’t want them.”
The new ban includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Heightened restrictions will be placed on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Trump said the decision is based on high visa overstay rates, terrorism links, inadequate vetting processes, failure to accept citizens back, and lack of cooperation.
Image credits: The White House
He also took aim at “Biden’s open door policies” and said there were “millions and millions” of illegal immigrants in the U.S. as a result.
“In my first term, my powerful travel restrictions were one of our most successful policies, and they were a key part of preventing major foreign terror attacks on American soil,” he added.
During Trump’s first term, he banned travel from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen.
Because the seven countries are predominantly Muslim, it became known as the “Muslim ban.”
There were legal challenges and the ban was reshaped, but it was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 through Trump v. Hawaii.
It was ruled that the ban “is squarely within the scope of Presidential authority” and it was “expressly premised on legitimate purposes.”
While the government cited an incident involving an Egyptian national in Boulder as a catalyst for the renewed restrictions, Egypt is not on the banned list.
The decision to exclude the country appears to be based on the administration’s assessment of visa compliance and security risks.
“The strength of the restrictions we’re applying depends on the severity of the threat posed,” Trump said.
Travel ban justifications for some countries include a high rate of visa overstays
Image credits: The White House
Government justifications for the countries being banned include:
- Afghanistan – high rates of visa overstay, inappropriate security and vetting measures, and an incompetent authority for issuing passports or civil documents.
- Eritrea – incompetent authority for issuing passports or civil documents, unavailability of criminal records in the U.S., refusal to accept back foreign nationals, and high rates of visa overstay.
- Haiti – national security threat due to a “high influx” during the Biden administration and high visa overstay.
- Iran – a state sponsor of terrorism, failure to cooperate with the U.S., and refusal to accept back foreign nationals.
- Somalia – identified as a terrorist safe haven and the government lacks command and control of its territory.
- Sudan – high rates of visa overstay, inappropriate security and vetting measures, and an incompetent authority for issuing passports or civil documents.
- Yemen – the government has no control over its territory, inappropriate security and vetting measures, and an incompetent authority for issuing passports or civil documents.
Image credits: Photo by JAVIER SEPULVEDA PASCUAL on Unsplash
The reason given for the inclusion of Chad, the Republic of the Congo, and Equatorial Guinea was a high rate of visa overstay, while Burma was that and failure to accept back removable nationals.
Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, who was born in Somalia, has described the policy as “beyond shameful.”
“This discriminatory policy is beyond shameful,” she posted on X.
“Just like his first Muslim Ban, this latest announcement flies in the face of basic morality and goes directly against our values.”
Image credits: IlhanMN
“This racist policy will not make us safe, it will separate families and endanger lives. We cannot let it stand.”
Amnesty International added: “President Trump’s new travel ban is discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel. By targeting people based on their nationality, this ban only spreads disinformation and hate.”
“From his first Muslim Ban, Trump’s travel bans have always betrayed of the ideals and values that inspired America’s Founders,” Rep. Don Beyer said.
“Trump’s use of prejudice and bigotry to bar people from entering the U.S. does not make us safer, it just divides us and weakens our global leadership.”
The policy has been widely condemned by Democrats and NGOs
Image credits: amnestyusa
“This policy will separate families, including many I represent. And with Trump’s assault on asylum and refugees, it will intentionally put people at deadly risk.”
Senator Adam Schiff posted: “This is Trump’s reckless first-term travel ban all over again.
“Just like before, Trump’s expanded ban on travelers from around the world will not improve our national security and will only further isolate the U.S. from the rest of the world.
“Bigotry is not a national security strategy.”
Image credits: Photo by Chris Robert on Unsplash
There will be exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.
This includes “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event.”
Afghan Special Immigrant Visas given to those who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government or military will also be exempt.