President Donald Trump on Sunday slapped new travel restrictions on citizens from North Korea, Venezuela and Chad, expanding to eight the list of countries covered by his original travel bans that have been derided by critics and challenged in court.
Iran, Libya, Syria, Yemen and Somalia were left on the list of affected countries in a new proclamation issued by the president. Restrictions on citizens from Sudan were lifted.
The measures help fulfill a campaign promise Trump made to tighten U.S. immigration procedures and align with his “America First” foreign policy vision. Unlike the president’s original bans, which had time limits, this one is open-ended.
In a statement, the White House called the new restrictions a “critical step toward establishing an immigration system that protects Americans’ safety and security in an era of dangerous terrorism and transnational crime.”
“We cannot afford to continue the failed policies of the past, which present an unacceptable danger to our country,” Trump was quoted as saying.
“My highest obligation is to ensure the safety and security of the American people, and in issuing this new travel order, I am fulfilling that sacred obligation.”
For the last three months, the administration used an executive order to ban foreign nationals from six Muslim-majority countries from entering the US unless they have a “bona fide” relationship with a person or entity in the country.
They are Iran, Syria, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan.
Individuals with that “bona fide” exception – such as a foreign grandparent of a US citizen – can still apply for visas until October 18. After that date, the new restrictions on travel will begin.
Foreign nationals from North Korea are banned, but a student from Iran will be allowed in, subject to “enhanced screening and vetting requirements.”
However, no current validly issued green cards, visas or travel documents will be revoked.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said in a statement that with the new restrictions, “the President is carrying out his duty to protect the American people.”
“The State Department will coordinate with other federal agencies to implement these measures in an orderly manner,” Tillerson said.
“We will continue to work closely with our allies and partners who share our commitment to national and global security.”
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