US President Donald Trump has reintroduced a travel ban similar to that of his first term, limiting entry to the United States from twelve countries. This proclamation, enacted to enhance national security, will take effect at 12.01am on Monday (US time). The affected countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In addition to the travel ban, there will be increased restrictions for visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Trump stated that the measures are necessary to safeguard the national interest and security of the United States and its citizens.
This ban is based on an executive order issued on January 20, which instructed the State and Homeland Security Departments, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to assess any “hostile attitudes” from certain countries towards the US and evaluate associated national security risks. Previously, during his first term, Trump signed a travel ban in January 2017, which restricted entry to the US for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim nations—namely Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen. This move became one of the most tumultuous aspects of his presidency, leading to mass confusion and chaos as travellers from these regions were either prohibited from boarding flights to the US or faced detention upon arrival.
The initial ban, widely termed the “Muslim ban,” impacted a variety of travellers, including students, academics, businesspeople, and families visiting friends. Following multiple legal challenges, a revised version of the ban was ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018, affecting not just those from Muslim-majority countries but also citizens from North Korea and certain Venezuelan government officials and their families.
Trump and his supporters have consistently defended the travel ban on the grounds of national security, asserting that the policy is designed to protect the nation rather than promote anti-Muslim sentiment. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that during his first presidential campaign, Trump explicitly called for a ban specifically targeting Muslims.
This reimplementation of the travel ban suggests a continuation of Trump’s hardline stance on immigration and national security, sparking conversation and concern regarding its impact on international relations and individuals affected by such policies.