President Donald Trump’s new immigration ban, which restricts entry into the United States for citizens of 19 countries, took effect this Monday. The measure prohibits the issuance of new visas to applicants outside the country from 12 nations, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, and imposes additional restrictions on another seven countries, amid an intensification of the White House’s immigration control policies.
- The presidential proclamation, signed last Wednesday, affects individuals from Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- The measure was quickly rejected by humanitarian organizations and representatives of affected communities.
The presidential proclamation, signed last Wednesday, affects individuals from Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
These are joined by restrictions for citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, who will not be able to apply for visas if they are outside the United States and do not hold a valid one.
Authorities clarified that the measure does not revoke previously issued visas, although new applications will be denied except in cases that meet strict exception criteria. The State Department informed its diplomatic missions on Friday that those who already hold a visa will be allowed to enter the country.
In a video statement, Trump justified the decision by stating that the included countries represent “risks related to terrorism and public safety”, as well as deficiencies in their systems for identity control and verification of applicants. He also argued that some governments “have historically refused to accept their deported citizens” and that the listed countries have high rates of overstaying visas.
“This measure is essential to protect our people,” Trump said, linking the order to the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by an Egyptian citizen who allegedly had overstayed his tourist visa. Egypt, however, is not on the list of restricted countries.
The measure was quickly rejected by humanitarian organizations and representatives of affected communities.
Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, stated that “this policy is not about national security. It’s about dividing and stigmatizing communities seeking safety and opportunities in the United States.”
In Newark, New Jersey, Haitian-American citizen Elvanise Louis-Juste, interviewed at the local airport, expressed her concern about the measure. “I have family in Haiti, so it’s very distressing to see and hear this,” she said. “I don’t think it’s a good thing; it’s very disturbing.”
Legal experts argue that this new executive order aims to avoid judicial challenges, as happened in 2017 with the first version of the immigration ban, which was widely criticized for primarily targeting Muslim-majority countries and for its rushed drafting. The current proclamation focuses on the visa application phase and is based on annual reports from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding overstay rates.
From Caracas, the regime of Nicolás Maduro condemned the measure, calling it a “campaign of stigmatization and criminalization” against Venezuelans. Venezuela, along with Cuba, has been subject to various unilateral sanctions by Washington in recent years.
The restrictions apply to tourist, business, and student visas and affect citizens currently outside U.S. territory. There are no changes for those who already reside legally in the U.S. or hold permanent residency (green card).
The new ban policy is part of a broader immigration strategy pushed by the Trump administration, focused on tightening border controls, reducing refugee admissions, and strengthening deportations.
Image: Infobae
