On September 25, 2023, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban affecting twelve countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen. This move resurrects one of the more contentious aspects of his first term.
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The motivation behind this measure, according to Mr. Trump, was a recent attack involving a makeshift flamethrower on a Jewish protest in Colorado. U.S. authorities attributed the incident to an individual they claim was residing in the country illegally.
This new policy prohibits travel to the United States for nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, there will be a partial travel ban affecting visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, though some temporary work visas from these nations will still be issued.
President Trump remarked on the situation, stating, “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted.” He further emphasized, “We don’t want them.”
Notably, this ban will not impact athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, nor the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to Mr. Trump’s directive.
He compared these new restrictions to the “powerful” travel ban he enacted during his earlier term, which sparked global travel disruptions. Mr. Trump claimed that the 2017 measures successfully prevented terror attacks on American soil akin to those that occurred in Europe, stating, “We will not let what happened in Europe happen in America.” He added, “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen.”
Venezuela’s response was immediate; the nation’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, countered by cautioning that the United States poses significant risks for all travelers, not just Venezuelans, declaring, “Being in the United States is a great risk for anyone.”
It’s important to note that Mr. Trump’s travel ban may encounter legal challenges, as seen with other controversial actions he has taken since returning to office. The announcement of the ban came with little notice, mere minutes after Mr. Trump addressed approximately 3,000 political appointees during a celebratory event, and in an unusual move, it was communicated without the presence of reporters.
In the official proclamation, President Trump provided specific reasons for each country’s inclusion on the ban list, asserting it aimed to protect the United States from “foreign terrorists and other national security threats.” For countries like Afghanistan and Libya, the proclamation noted their lack of competent central authorities for processing passports and vetting applicants. Iran was included due to its designation as a “state sponsor of terrorism,” especially in the context of ongoing negotiations regarding a potential nuclear deal.
As National Iranian American Council president Jamal Abdi pointed out, “The impact of the ban will once again be felt by Americans who were denied the ability to see their loved ones at weddings, funerals, or the birth of a child.” Most countries on the list were cited due to an elevated likelihood of individuals overstaying their visas.
Harvard University Under Scrutiny
In a separate yet related move, President Trump announced a ban on visas for foreign students set to begin attending Harvard University. This action is part of his broader aim to challenge what he views as the liberal stronghold of the institution.
The White House asserted that the entrance of international students to Harvard would be “suspended and limited” for six months, with existing overseas students experiencing potential visa terminations. The administration claimed, “Harvard’s conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.”
This announcement follows previous attempts to eliminate Harvard’s ability to enroll and host international students, which were delayed by judicial intervention. Furthermore, the government has cut approximately $3.2 billion in federal grants and contracts benefiting Harvard, vowing to exclude the university from any future federal funding opportunities.
In response, Harvard labeled the executive order as “retaliatory.” A university spokesperson stated, “This is yet another illegal retaliatory step taken by the Administration in violation of Harvard’s First Amendment rights. Harvard will continue to protect its international students.”
