Trump set to expand US travel ban to dozens of nations
Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump has announced plans for new migration restrictions and indicated that the administration will soon expand the list of countries whose citizens are banned from entering the US, according to Bloomberg.
The decision is being discussed amid tightened security requirements and a review of visa procedures following a recent incident in Washington.
Trump tightens migration policy
According to security agencies, the updated list of countries is expected soon. Currently, there is a full ban on citizens from 12 countries and partial restrictions for seven more.
At the same time, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that it is suspending the processing of all applications from nationals of 19 countries already subject to restrictions, including green card applications.
Review of permits and reasons for tightening
In a political memorandum, USCIS stated that the US will conduct a broad review of permits issued to immigrants from these countries during the period following the start of the Biden administration.
The acceleration of the process was prompted by an attack in Washington that left one service member dead and another in serious condition.
The suspect has been identified as 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who arrived from Afghanistan in 2021.
Political statements and administration plans
Trump and his supporters have placed responsibility on the previous administration, citing the need for new restrictions.
The president emphasized that he is considering expanding the entry ban, revoking the citizenship of some naturalized immigrants, and canceling federal benefits for non-citizens.
Among the measures under discussion is the expansion of one of the most controversial migration policies, which was in effect during his first term and upheld by the Supreme Court.
Which countries are under the ban
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that she had recommended to Trump to tighten measures and expand the list of countries.
She stated, “I just met with the President. I am recommending a full travel ban on every damn country that’s been flooding our nation with killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies.”
Currently, the full ban applies to Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, while partial restrictions apply to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
A US delegation recently visited Moscow again to discuss potential ways to end the war; however, the meeting concluded without tangible results, and, as emphasized by the Kremlin, discussions about possible Trump-Putin contacts are not on the agenda at this stage, indicating no real progress in the negotiations.
Additionally, US President Donald Trump suggested applying tough measures against countries allegedly involved in illegal drug shipments to the US.
