The U.S. entry ban affecting citizens from 12 countries took effect this morning, according to Greece time, following an executive order signed last week by President Donald Trump.
This decision, described by Trump as a measure to “protect the United States from foreign terrorists and other national security threats,” impacts citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The U.S. government, known for its stringent immigration policies, indicated that these countries were listed due to their inadequate traveler screening processes and a tendency for their citizens to overstay their visas.
The same executive order also imposes visa restrictions on citizens from seven additional countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Trump likened this decision, announced on Wednesday, to the “effective restrictions” previously imposed on citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations—commonly referred to by critics as the “Muslim ban”—earlier in his presidency in 2017.
Four countries appear on both the 2017 and the current lists: Iran, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen.
“As president, I am obligated to act to safeguard the national security and interests of the United States and its citizens,” Trump stated in his executive order, emphasizing the need to protect against foreign terrorism.
To illustrate the risks of allowing inadequately vetted foreign nationals into the U.S., Trump cited a recent attack in Colorado that injured 12 people, carried out by an Egyptian whose visa had expired. Notably, Egypt is not among the countries listed in Trump’s order.
“We will not allow what transpired in Europe to happen in America,” Trump added, referencing attacks conducted by foreign nationals.
The ban has raised concerns and confusion among the nations affected.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed apprehension regarding the ban’s broad scope and its implications for international law.
Amnesty International condemned the order as “discriminatory, racist, and utterly cruel.”
The African Union voiced “concern about the potential adverse effects of such measures,” particularly related to diplomatic relations with the affected countries.
In response, Chad announced it would suspend visas for U.S. citizens in retaliation.
“I understand the pain caused by Trump’s harsh and xenophobic travel bans, as my family has been adversely affected,” Iranian-American Congresswoman Yasamin Ansari stated on X yesterday (Sunday). “We will oppose this ban vigorously,” she added.
Nevertheless, Trump’s order allows exceptions for certain visa holders, diplomats, and individuals whose travel to the U.S. is deemed to serve the national interest.
The January 2017 ban triggered protests at several major U.S. airports.
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