A new travel ban enacted by President Donald Trump has raised concerns among migrants and travelers hoping to visit the United States.
The ban, which was signed last week, targets citizens from several countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Additionally, heightened restrictions will be imposed on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who do not possess a valid visa and are located outside of the U.S.
The recent changes do not affect visas that have already been issued to individuals from the designated countries.
Guidance released by U.S. diplomatic missions states that unless applicants qualify for very limited exemptions, their applications will be denied starting Monday.
Travelers who hold previously issued visas are expected to continue entering the U.S. despite the new ban.
For many, the experience of traveling to the U.S. amidst these restrictions is filled with uncertainty.
Aguilar, a Guatemalan citizen who recently traveled to Florida to visit her son after two decades, shared her experience.
Upon arriving, she and her husband were questioned about their employment, number of children, any past legal issues, travel expenses, and duration of stay.
They were eventually released about an hour after landing, allowing them a heartfelt reunion with family.
Unlike others, Guatemala is not included in the travel ban, which has led to a mixed atmosphere of relief and anxiety amongst potential travelers.
Narayana Lamy, a Haitian citizen, reported a tense waiting game at the Miami airport.
Although he presented his passport and tourist visa, he was asked to wait for confirmation from a U.S. official before being allowed to visit his family.
Luis Hernandez, a Cuban citizen and green card holder, reflected on his smooth return to Miami after a weekend visit to Cuba, stating, “They did not ask me anything. I only showed my residency card.”
The announcement of this new ban comes in the wake of a previous travel order during President Trump’s term that restricted entry for citizens from primarily Muslim countries, which resulted in significant chaos and legal challenges.
Experts have voiced that the latest ban is more strategically crafted, likely aiming to withstand potential legal disputes by concentrating on the visa application process rather than outright travel restrictions.
President Trump has cited concerns regarding nations with inadequate passport screening and those historically reluctant to accept repatriated citizens.
He also pointed to an annual Homeland Security report that highlighted cases of visitors overstaying their visas as a justification for the travel ban.
In relation to the ban, President Trump referenced a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, claiming it highlighted the risks posed by individuals who overstay their visas.
Interestingly, the alleged perpetrator of the Boulder attack, who hails from Egypt, is not on the newly restricted countries list.
Critics have swiftly condemned the policy, asserting that it unfairly vilifies vulnerable communities.
Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, emphasized that the enactment of the ban is less about national security and more about creating division within society.
Similarly, Haiti’s transitional presidential council criticized the ban, asserting it will have a sweeping impact on all Haitians, and expressed hopes for revisions to omit Haiti from the list.
Moreover, some Venezuelans have reported adjusting their travel plans to circumvent Trump’s restrictions.
In light of the severed diplomatic relations between Venezuela and the U.S. since 2019, acquiring U.S. visas has already been notably challenging, often requiring travel to neighboring countries.
José Luis Vegas, a tech worker in Caracas, lamented the difficulties surrounding visa renewal and the heavy financial and time costs associated with the process.
As President Trump’s new travel ban takes effect, uncertainty looms large for many who seek safety, family reunification, and opportunities in the United States.
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