Trump weighs adding Nigeria and 35 countries to travel ban
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is contemplating a substantial expansion of its travel ban, which may involve prohibiting citizens from 36 additional nations from entering the United States, as indicated by an internal State Department cable reviewed by Reuters.
Earlier this month, the Republican president enacted a proclamation that barred the entry of individuals from 12 countries, asserting that this action was necessary to safeguard the United States from “foreign terrorists” and various national security risks.
This directive is part of an immigration enforcement initiative that Trump initiated at the beginning of his second term, which has involved the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of gang affiliations to El Salvador, along with attempts to restrict the enrollment of certain foreign students in U.S. universities and to deport others.
In a diplomatic cable signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department expressed a dozen concerns regarding the countries in question and requested corrective measures.
“The Department has identified 36 countries of concern that might be recommended for full or partial suspension of entry if they do not meet established benchmarks and requirements within 60 days,” stated the cable that was disseminated over the weekend.
The Washington Post was the first to report on this cable.
Among the issues highlighted by the State Department was the absence of a competent or cooperative government in some of the mentioned countries to provide reliable identity documentation, according to the cable. Another concern was the “questionable security” associated with the passports of those countries.
According to the cable, certain countries were uncooperative in facilitating the repatriation of their nationals from the United States who had been ordered to leave. Additionally, some countries were allowing their citizens to overstay the U.S. visas that had been issued to them.
Further concerns included the involvement of nationals from these countries in acts of terrorism within the United States, as well as engaging in antisemitic and anti-American activities.
The cable emphasized that not all of these issues were applicable to every country mentioned.
A senior official from the State Department stated, “We are continually reassessing our policies to ensure the safety of Americans and to guarantee that foreign nationals adhere to our laws,” while refraining from commenting on specific internal discussions and communications.
The official further remarked, “The Department of State is dedicated to safeguarding our nation and its citizens by maintaining the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa procedures.”
Countries that may face a complete or partial ban if they fail to address these issues within the next 60 days include: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
This would represent a considerable extension of the prohibition that was implemented earlier this month. The nations impacted include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Additionally, the entry of individuals from seven other nations – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – has also faced partial restrictions.
During his initial term, Trump declared a ban on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, a policy that underwent multiple revisions before being affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018. SOURCE CNBC / REUTERS
