Trump bans citizens of 12 countries from entering the United States
In a decision similar to his previous policies, US President Donald Trump signed a new executive order banning citizen of 12 countries from entering the United States, as he described it as “enhancing national security”.
The order, which goes into effect early Monday, includes countries such as Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Haiti.
In addition to the ban, the order imposes additional restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
In a video posted on social media, Trump justified the measure by pointing to the recent Boulder, Colorado, attack, which was attributed to an Egyptian immigrant who entered the country on a tourist visa, although Egypt isn’t included on the ban list.
Trump said some countries lack adequate security screening procedures or refuse to take back their citizens upon deportation, citing an official report from the Department of Homeland Security on visitors overstaying their visas.
Trump emphasized in his statement that the decision aims to protect national security and American interests, noting that countries like Haiti experience high levels of visa violations and deteriorating security conditions, making them unable to exchange security information or enforce laws effectively.
