Iran, Afghanistan & more: Trump’s new travel ban kicks in amid immigration crackdown; all you need to know
US president Donald Trump’s newly expanded travel ban on foreigners visiting US officially took effect on Monday, blocking citizens from 12 countries. The ban won’t revoke visas already issued, but new applicants from listed countries will be denied unless they qualify for a rare exemption.The administration says this move is intended to reduce terrorism and overstay-related threats, claiming that several of these countries either lack proper screening processes or have refused to take back deported nationals. Trump linked the ban to a recent terror attack in Colorado, though the suspect in that case was from Egypt—a country not listed in the proclamation. Human rights organisations and refugee agencies were quick to condemn the policy, calling it discriminatory and harmful to people fleeing persecution. Venezuela’s president Nicolas Maduro’s government condemned the travel ban, characterising it in a statement as a “stigmatisation and criminalisation campaign” against Venezuelans.List of countries The list includes countries mostly in Africa and the Middle East, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.In addition, the order places stricter entry restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, provided they are outside the US and do not currently hold valid visas.Exemptions While the ban places wide restrictions on travellers from the listed countries, several categories of individuals are exempt. These include journalists, students, workers, and lecturers who hold valid employment offers or invitations from US institutions. Infants, adopted children, and individuals requiring urgent medical care may also be eligible for exemption. In addition, travellers with significant professional or business obligations in the US, as well as Canadian permanent residents applying for a US visa from within Canada, are not subject to the ban. ImpactThe travel ban has triggered deep concern among communities connected to the affected countries. In the Bay Area, where many immigrants from these nations live, people are anxious and unsure about the future. Several families are rushing to bring their loved ones to the US before the ban is fully enforced. Meanwhile, local advocacy groups are gearing up to challenge the policy in court.
