In a move reminiscent of his earlier policies, President Donald Trump has issued a new travel ban affecting nationals from twelve countries, aiming to bolster national security following recent incidents.
Trump Expands Travel Ban Amid National Security Concerns
Trump Expands Travel Ban Amid National Security Concerns
New Presidential Proclamation Targets Twelve Countries and Imposes Partial Restrictions
Donald Trump signed a proclamation announcing a travel ban to the United States for nationals from twelve countries, citing national security concerns. Among the affected nations are Afghanistan, Iran, and Haiti, alongside seven others facing partial travel restrictions. The President indicated that the list could be altered based on "material improvements" in security conditions, allowing for new countries to be added as threats emerge.
The revised order takes effect Monday at 12:01 AM (05:01 BST) and comes after criticisms of a chaotic implementation in 2017. The White House, defending the ban as "common sense restrictions," referenced recent violent events, including a protest attack in Boulder, Colorado, which involved an individual identified as an Egyptian national, not on the banned list.
Exemptions are allowed for certain groups, including athletes participating in notable events, Afghan nationals with Special Immigrant Visas, and lawful permanent residents. The Secretary of State retains discretion to grant further exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Reactions to the ban have been swift. The Somali government expressed a desire to work with the U.S. on security matters, while individuals in Venezuela warned against travel to the U.S. Domestic responses also emerged, with Democrats condemning the ban as an extension of Trump's previous policies and human rights organizations branding the decision as discriminatory and cruel.
The new travel ban draws parallels with Trump’s previous restrictions, which faced legal challenges and were initially criticized as a "Muslim ban." Ultimately, the Supreme Court upheld the previous order in 2018 before President Joe Biden's administration repealed it in 2021. The unfolding implications of this latest ban remain to be seen, as legal challenges and national discourse develop around the policy.
