President Donald Trump has declared US travel restrictions on individuals from 12 nations he considers "uncontrolled."
Seven additional nations' citizens will encounter limited travel constraints once the updated policy becomes effective on Monday.
The travel restriction affects individuals originating from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face updated limitations.
Earlier on Thursday, speaking from the Oval Office, Trump stated that the additional limitations "cannot arrive quickly enough," highlighting worries related to national security.
Since his return to the White House in January, Trump has initiated an unparalleled crackdown on immigration that has stretched the boundaries of presidential authority and resulted in conflicts with federal judges attempting to limit the administration’s actions.
The travel restriction was imposed following an executive order signed by President Trump on January 20th. This directive mandated the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence to produce a report addressing "adverse sentiments" towards the United States.
The objective is to "shield its citizens from aliens planning to carry out terrorist acts, jeopardize our national safety, promote hate ideologies, or misuse immigration policies for nefarious ends," according to the administration.
A video posted on social media showed Trump linking the new restriction to a terrorist incident that occurred in Colorado on Sunday. He argued that this event highlighted the risks certain tourists pose when they remain in the country beyond their visa terms.
The individual involved in that assault hails from Egypt, which isn’t included in Trump’s restricted countries. According to the Department of Homeland Security, this person remained in the U.S. past their permitted stay on a tourist visa.
Trump said nationals of countries included in the ban pose "terrorism-related" and "public-safety" risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. He also said some of these countries had "deficient" screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their own citizens.
His research heavily depends on an annual Department of Homeland Security report about visa overstays from tourists, business travelers, and students entering via air or sea traffic. The study specifically highlights nations with significant numbers of individuals staying beyond their visa expiration dates.
Trump stated, 'We do not desire them.'
The addition of Afghanistan to the list has upset certain supporters who have strived to help resettle its population.
The prohibition includes exemptions for Afghans holding Special Immigrant Visas, typically those who had the closest ties to the U.S. government throughout the twenty-year conflict in their country.
The list may be modified, the administration stated in a document distributed on Wednesday night, should officials from specified nations implement "substantive enhancements" to their regulations and processes.
New nations may be included as threats arise globally.
Reactions to the ban
Global assistance organizations and agencies focused on relocating refugees have strongly criticized the recent prohibition.
"This policy isn’t focused on national security; instead, it’s aimed at fostering divisions and denigrating communities that seek safety and opportunities within the United States,” stated Abby Maxman, who leads Oxfam America.
The African Union Commission voiced worry over "the possible adverse effects" of the ban on educational programs, commercial connections, and overall diplomatic interactions.
The African Union Commission has politely requested of the U.S. administration to adopt a more collaborative stance and to participate in productive discussions with the respective nations involved,” stated the commission in an official release.
The Council on American-Islamic Relations, which is the nation's premier organization for Muslim civil liberties and advocacy, described the directive as "unwarranted, excessive, and driven by ideology."
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