President Donald Trump has expanded his travel ban based on new realities with only Sudan being removed from the previous ban, which just ended. The new ban covers Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Yemen and Somalia. Iraqis will undergo closer scrutiny as will Somalians, two countries where the most radicals come from. These countries refuse to supply even the minimum identification of people seeking visas.
Iraqi nationals will be subject to enhanced screening during visa issuance and travel, though entrance to the U.S. will still be permitted. Sudan is the only country named in the original travel ban which does not appear in Sunday’s directive.
“With this proclamation, the president is carrying out his duty to protect the American people,” Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said. “The State Department will coordinate with other federal agencies to implement these measures in an orderly manner. We will continue to work closely with our allies and partners who share our commitment to national and global security.”
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Moments after the proclamation was released, Trump said that ensuring the country’s security was his top priority.
Iranian nationals holding student or exchange visitor visas are unaffected by the order. Officials further said no visas will be revoked as a result of Sunday’s proclamation. In addition, all individuals with U.S. residency or green cards are also unaffected.
The solicitor general notified the Supreme Court of the new proclamation Sunday evening, as it will affect the litigation currently before the justices. The solicitor general, the federal government’s primary advocate before the Court, asked for new briefing in the case due Oct. 5.
The United States and Donald Trump has come under fire from Democrats who seem to love terrorists, the United Nations, an organization that protects terrorists and European countries that suffer the most terrorist attacks. But the president’s actions should come as no surprise since that was one of his principle talking points on the campaign trail.
The decision on which countries to either exclude or provide more intense screening was a collaborative effort by the president, his cabinet and the intelligence community. Eight of the nations that do not provide adequate information on citizens looking for a visa were originally on a list of 15, but after negotiations, that number was reduced to eight including a few nations described as intentionally refusing to provide information on the would-be visa-holders.
The requirements in question include robust exchange of information related to public safety and terrorism, acceptance of nationals deported from the U.S., and document security. The final category refers to ensuring the integrity of visas and passports, fighting credential fraud, and sharing information about lost or stolen travel documents with U.S. and international law enforcement entities.
Specific details as to the deficiencies of each country will not be made public given diplomatic and security sensitivities.
A State Department official said detailed instructions to maintain and ensure compliance with U.S. expectations have been wired to all American embassies.
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- ACLU: Trump’s travel ban unconstitutional because Trump created it
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