The Trump administration this week announced that it will suspend the processing of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, effectively banning them from entering the US.
The controversial move by the US president, 79, has been met with backlash across the world, especially with the FIFA World Cup set to be held across America, Canada and Mexico in just a few months time.
As per the BBC, the State Department said on Wednesday (14 January) that the administration wants to bring 'an end to the abuse' of the system 'by those who would extract wealth from the American people'.
Ever since Trump took office again, the Republican leader has talked about his plans to limit both illegal and legal crossing into the US.
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It's important to note that with this latest move, the change only affects people who want to move to America permanently and doesn't apply to visitors or short-term visa holders, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Here's everything you need to know about America's latest travel ban, included who exactly is affected.
What has Trump’s administration announced?
The State Department announced in a Twitter post yesterday (14 January) that it will 'pause immigrant visa processing from 75 countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at unacceptable rates'.
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Their social media statement read: "The freeze will remain active until the US can ensure that new immigrants will not extract wealth from the American people.
"The pause impacts dozens of countries – including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, and Eritrea - whose immigrants often become public charges on the United States upon arrival."
It signed off with: "We are working to ensure the generosity of the American people will no longer be abused. The Trump Administration will always put America First."
It's been confirmed that the freeze will be put into place from 21 January, while the State Department reassesses 'screening and vetting’ procedures', and will last until it conducts a 'reassessment of immigrant visa processing'.
Why are they are doing it?
As we say, Donald Trump has implemented this new ban amid his ongoing tightening of immigration rules.
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His administration has aggressively prioritised immigration enforcement, has sent federal agents to major US cities and sparked violent confrontations with both migrants and citizens of America.
According to Reuters, the latest Visa decision follows a November directive to US diplomats asking them to ensure that visa applicants are 'financially self-sufficient and do not risk becoming dependent on government subsidies during their stay in the US,' according to a State Department cable.
Which countries are on the list?
The full list of countries comprises:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bahamas
- Bangladesh
- Barbados
- Belarus
- Belize
- Bhutan
- Bosnia
- Brazil
- Burma
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Colombia
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba.
People from the Democratic Republic of the Congo will also have their immigration processing paused, as will those from:
- Dominica
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jamaica
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kosovo
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan.
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Also on the list of 75 countries are:
- Laos
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libya
- Moldova
- Mongolia
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Pakistan
- Republic of the Congo
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Thailand
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
What does it mean for citizens of those countries?
It essentially means that nationals who are from the list of affected countries may still submit immigrant visa applications, but none will be approved or issued while the pause is in place.
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It's unknown how long the pause will go on for and the US government have given no indication of when it's set to be lifted.
As we say, it doesn't apply to apply to non-immigrant, temporary, tourist, or business visas, or dual nationals who are applying using a valid passport from a country that's not included in the suspension.
Topics: World News, Donald Trump, Politics, US News, News, Travel
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Madison Burgess