Donald Trump Bans Travel from Afghanistan and 11 Other Countries to the United States

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to ban travel to the United States by citizens of Afghanistan and 11 other countries.

The order also prohibits travel from Iran, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

The order, issued on Wednesday (June 4), justified the travel ban from Afghanistan to the United States by citing the Taliban, which is on the US list of Specially Designated Global Terrorist Groups (SDGTs).

Trump’s order states that Afghanistan lacks a capable or cooperative central authority to issue passports and other civil documents.

The order also states that Afghanistan lacks the necessary mechanisms for screening and checking the background of individuals.

According to Donald Trump’s new order, the entry of Afghan citizens into the United States, whether as immigrants or non-immigrants, will be suspended after the issuance of this order.

Exceptions:
Donald Trump’s order, in relation to the ban on travel by citizens of 12 countries to the United States, has made several exceptions in which the order will not apply:
– Individuals with Afghan Special Immigration Visa (SIV);
– Religious and ethnic minorities in Iran who have been issued an immigrant (asylum) visa;
– Those with permanent residency (green cards) in the United States;
– Dual citizens traveling with a passport from a country that is not subject to the ban;
– Immediate family members of those who have an immigrant visa;
– Those who have special visas for US government employees;
– Those traveling to the United States with diplomatic visas to attend the United Nations or as a member of NATO;
– Athletes, coaches, and team members of sports teams participating in the Olympic Games, World Cup, or other sporting events.

Also, according to a White House statement, the restrictions imposed in this order were deemed necessary to encourage greater cooperation from foreign countries, effectively enforce immigration laws, and advance key foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.

The statement emphasized that the President is required to take steps to ensure that those who intend to enter the United States do not pose a threat to the American people.

Part of the statement states that Donald Trump, after reviewing a report submitted by the Secretary of State in coordination with other Cabinet officials, concluded that the entry of nationals of certain countries should be limited or prohibited in order to protect the national security and public safety of the United States.

The White House statement emphasized that these restrictions are tailored to the specific circumstances of each country and are intended to encourage cooperation with the countries to which this order applies.