Under the same auspices, the Trump administration has continuously expanded the travel restrictions. Now, the policy has expanded to include an extra 20 countries plus the Palestinian Authority. This momentous step more than doubles the number of countries affected by such past travel and immigration bans to the US. It’s a principal component of the administration’s policy.
This leaves five countries under a complete travel ban to the U.S. Further, 15 other countries will face limited bans. New spending restrictions are affecting many countries. These are Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia & Zimbabwe. This expansion reflects ongoing efforts by the administration to tighten U.S. entry standards amidst concerns over security and immigration vetting processes.
The Trump administration imposed these restrictions to stamp out rampant corruption. They further pointed to unpredictable civil documentation and widespread volatility across the assigned countries as major factors. DHS officials have said that these factors make it extremely difficult to vet individuals trying to enter the U.S.
“U.S.-designated terrorist groups operate actively in the West Bank or Gaza Strip and have murdered American citizens.” – The Trump administration
The press release comes on the heels of heightened security threats. That’s even more concerning when you consider the context of a recent arrest of an Afghan national suspected of shooting two National Guard members over Thanksgiving weekend. The administration has hinted that this incident was what prompted the administration to expand travel restrictions.
In all, the Trump administration has enacted tougher restrictions on seven countries. Laos and Sierra Leone have gone from being in a partially restricted category to having stricter measures in place. Conversely, the administration has eased some restrictions on travelers from Turkmenistan, indicating a nuanced approach to different nations based on perceived security risks.
Travel restrictions will further be placed on those who plan to immigrate to, or travel to the U.S. Exemptions are provided for certain classes of individuals. This encompasses visa holders, lawful permanent residents, and diplomats, as well as athletes and other persons whose admission would be in the national interest.
The Palestinian Authority, already on the brink, is especially hit hard by these new restrictions. Earlier this year, the Trump administration imposed restrictions making it nearly impossible for individuals holding Palestinian Authority passports to obtain travel documents for business, work, leisure, or educational purposes. The continuation of these restrictions is sure to add even more layers of difficulty to Palestinians’ travel.
Advocates of the broader travel ban have voiced their opposition to the conflict. As Laurie Ball Cooper, then-deputy general counsel at the U.S. She thinks it’s a reprehensible effort to fear-monger and scapegoat people just because of where they come from.
The Trump administration has repeatedly stressed its commitment to national security through these actions. Officials argue that the complexities surrounding civil documentation and criminal records in many of these countries have likely resulted in compromised vetting and screening abilities.