Posted by Justtours News
The United States President Donald Trump has imposed a travel ban targeting nationals from 19 countries, citing security concerns.
Nigerians remarkably were not among the nationals banned from entering the United States even though found wanting in the critical areas that affected Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Trump signed a travel ban restricting entry from 12 countries and partially limiting 7 more, aiming to improve security and address vetting shortcomings.
The ban will completely block entry from 12 countries and place partial restrictions on seven others.
The proclamation, signed on June 4, will take effect on June 9.
It bars the aforementioned nationals from entering the United States.
The administration, according to reports, explained the ban was due to poor vetting, high visa overstay rates, and inadequate information sharing from these countries.
Partial restrictions apply to travellers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
However, exemptions exist for lawful permanent residents, holders of valid visas, and individuals whose entry is deemed in the U.S. national interest.
The decision was accelerated following an antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. A White House official said the event sped up the finalization of the proclamation, which had been under consideration beforehand. Deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson stated, “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm.”
She added, “These commonsense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information.”
Trump also warned the list might grow if new threats arise or if countries fail to improve their vetting systems. He said, “The list is subject to revision based on whether material improvements are made. And likewise new countries can be added as threats emerge around the world, but we will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe.”
The new proclamation follows a similar travel ban from Trump’s first term, which restricted seven majority-Muslim countries but was later reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021. Including Afghanistan in the current ban raised concerns, especially for Afghans who assisted U.S. forces during America’s two-decade military presence. The administration had already paused the refugee admissions program and cut foreign aid for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders.
Refugee advocates have voiced worries over the ban’s impact. Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, said, “It disproportionately affects families and individuals seeking lawful entry into the US.” He added, “The proclamation is a strategic move, not a response to an immediate threat.”
Several affected governments also criticized the restrictions. Venezuela’s Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, Diosdado Cabello, said on national television, “If you’re really that foolish, then go to the United States.” Abby Maxman, President and CEO of Oxfam America, condemned the ban as a “chilling return to policies of fear, discrimination, and division” that forces vulnerable people to remain in dangerous conditions.
