The White House has reintroduced a sweeping travel ban affecting citizens from 19 countries, echoing one of former President Donald Trump’s most controversial policies from his first term.
Announced Wednesday, the new restrictions target 12 countries with full travel bans and seven more with partial restrictions. Many of the affected nations are either unstable, adversarial to the U.S., or led by authoritarian regimes.
Trump warned in a video statement that more nations could be added “as threats emerge around the world.”
Visa Overstays Cited as Key Concern
The administration cited high visa overstay rates among the reasons for the ban. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), most of the 19 countries had citizens who overstayed their visas at high rates. Chad, for example, had one of the highest overstay rates in 2023. The White House called this “a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration laws.”
The move follows an attack in Boulder, Colorado. The suspect, an Egyptian national, had overstayed a work authorization that expired in March. Egypt, however, was not included in the new ban.
Seven Countries Deemed High-Risk
Seven nations were flagged as posing a high security risk: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These countries now face partial restrictions. The White House said decisions were based on national security, cooperation with U.S. authorities, and overstay data.
African Nations Heavily Impacted
Seven African countries—Chad, Sudan, Libya, Eritrea, Republic of Congo, Somalia, and Equatorial Guinea—face full bans. Somalia was labeled a “terrorist safe haven,” and U.S. airstrikes have targeted ISIS operatives there this year.
Relations have also worsened with Sudan, whose military government was recently accused of using chemical weapons. In 2023, the U.S. accused Eritrean forces of committing war crimes during conflict in Ethiopia.
Chad reacted strongly. President Mahamat Idriss Deby Itno said his nation would impose visa restrictions on Americans. “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give but Chad has his dignity and pride,” he wrote.
The African Union Commission expressed concern over the ban's impact on education, trade, and diplomacy. It called for policies “balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of long-standing U.S.-Africa relations.”
Middle Eastern and Latin American Targets
Three Middle Eastern countries were included: Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen. The U.S. does not recognize the Taliban government and continues to offer Special Immigrant Visas to Afghans who supported U.S. efforts during the 20-year war.
The ban comes after U.S. airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who control much of the country. The Houthis have been blamed for disrupting international shipping in the Red Sea.
In Latin America, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela were targeted. Haiti’s capital is now mostly controlled by armed gangs, while Cuba and Venezuela have long been at odds with Washington.
Venezuelan officials condemned the move. “This is an operation of hate and stigmatization,” said Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto. Over 55,000 Venezuelans received U.S. visas last year, and 800,000 have entered in the past decade.
Myanmar and Laos: Cooperation Breakdown
Myanmar and Laos were also penalized for failing to assist in returning their nationals. Myanmar’s junta, which seized power in 2021, continues to wage a bloody civil war. U.S. officials said the lack of cooperation on deportations influenced the decision.
Why Egypt Was Spared
Despite recent events, Egypt was not added to the ban. DHS officials said the U.S. values Egypt’s role in counterterrorism and regional stability. Egypt remains a top recipient of U.S. military aid and a key partner in the Middle East.
Amnesty International criticized the ban. “Basing immigration restrictions on nationality is discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel,” the group said in a statement.
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