Unic Press UK: United States President Donald Trump has issued a proclamation ‘Presidential Proclamation Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry Into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats’, which imposed a direct ban and in some cases placed restrictions/limitations on entry into the United States of nationals of eight countries – Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.
“… the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Attorney General, has determined that a small number of countries — out of nearly 200 evaluated — remain deficient at this time with respect to their identity-management and information-sharing capabilities, protocols, and practices. In some cases, these countries also have a significant terrorist presence within their territory,” the White House said on 24th September 2017.
The new order comes into effect on 18 October 2017, but it will not apply to anyone who’s already in possession of a valid visa.
Details of Trump’s Proclamation
Chad
The entry into the United States of the nationals of Chad, as immigrants and as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas has been suspended.
Iran
“The Department of State has also designated Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism. The entry into the United States of nationals of Iran as immigrants and as nonimmigrants is hereby suspended, except that entry by such nationals under valid student (F and M) and exchange visitor (J) visas is not suspended…” (White House: 24th September 2017.)
Libya
President Trump suspended entry into the United States of the nationals of Libya, as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas, citing the substantial presence of terrorists in Libya.
North Korea
The entry into the United States of the nationals of North Korea (DPRK) as immigrants and nonimmigrants has been suspended.
Somalia
“The entry into the United States of nationals of Somalia as immigrants is hereby suspended. Additionally, visa adjudications for nationals of Somalia and decisions regarding their entry as nonimmigrants should be subject to additional scrutiny to determine if applicants are connected to terrorist organizations or otherwise pose a threat to the national security or public safety of the United States.” (White House: 24th September 2017.)
Syria
Syrian nationals have been suspended from entering into the United States as immigrants and nonimmigrants. The U.S. government claims that Syria is a state sponsor of terrorism that regularly fails to cooperate with the United States government in identifying security risks.
Venezuela
“The entry into the United States of officials of government agencies of Venezuela involved in screening and vetting procedures — including the Ministry of the Popular Power for Interior, Justice and Peace; the Administrative Service of Identification, Migration and Immigration; the Scientific, Penal and Criminal Investigation Service Corps; the Bolivarian National Intelligence Service; and the Ministry of the Popular Power for Foreign Relations — and their immediate family members, as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas, is hereby suspended. Further, nationals of Venezuela who are visa holders should be subject to appropriate additional measures to ensure traveler information remains current.” (White House: 24th September 2017.)
Yemen
The entry into the United States of the nationals of Yemen as immigrants and as nonimmigrants on business (B-1), tourist (B-2), and business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visas, has been suspended. The U.S. reiterated the notable presence of terrorists in Yemen, and the failure of Yemeni government to ‘share public-safety and terrorism-related information adequately’.
