The president of the United States Donald Trump has once again raised global alarms with a new travel ban that directly affects citizens of 12 countries and will impose additional restrictions on visitors from seven others, including Cuba and Venezuela, sources of migration in recent years.
The measure, which will take effect on Monday at 12:01 am, revives one of the most controversial policies of his first term, this time with the explicit backing of the Supreme Court.
The governments of many of those 19 countries reacted with confusion and concern to the new measure, which partially or entirely restricts the entry of their citizens into the United States and threatens to escalate diplomatic, legal, and humanitarian tensions.
Cuba is included on the list of countries with restricted visitor entries. This affects both immigrants and non-immigrants (tourists, students, business people), except for certain exceptions such as legal permanent residents, athletes, or holders of valid visas.
Cuba under scrutiny: terrorism, disorganization, and overstaying
In the specific case of Cuba, the proclamation categorizes it as a "state sponsor of terrorism." Havana is accused of not cooperating sufficiently with the United States regarding law enforcement and of historically refusing to accept the return of its deportable nationals.
According to the Visa Overstay Report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Cuba recorded an overstay rate of 7.69% for B-1/B-2 visas (business and tourism) and 18.75% for F, M, and J visas (study and exchange programs).
The presidential order explicitly suspends the entry of Cuban citizens under those categories and directs consular officials to limit the validity of other non-immigrant visas as much as possible.
The news represents a new obstacle for hundreds of Cubans caught between the authoritarianism of their government and the barriers to entry into the United States.
The triggering attack
The executive order signed on Wednesday completely prohibits entry to citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, which are deemed sources of "threats to national security."
Trump linked the measure to the terrorist attack that occurred last Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, where a citizen of Egypt—who was not on the list—was charged with using an improvised flamethrower. The DHS stated that the attacker had exceeded the duration of his tourist visa, an argument used by the president to justify urgent action.
"We want to prevent an event like Boulder from happening again. There are countries that are simply not doing their part to control those leaving their territory," Trump said from the White House.
National security or collective punishment?
Experts and officials have questioned the basis of the executive order, which relies on limited statistics and vague criteria such as "hostile attitudes" towards the United States.
The consequences are immediate and profound.
Citizens of Afghanistan, many of whom worked closely with U.S. troops during the war, report that the support they once had has been steadily eroded under the current administration.
"I feel abandoned," said Khalid Khan, an Afghan refugee in Pakistan who worked for the U.S. military for eight years, to the AP.
Human rights organizations such as the ACLU have warned that the new proclamation "destroys legal immigration pathways under the pretext of national security," and they are calling for an immediate review of its legality and morality.
With these new restrictions, Trump not only revives his policy of closed borders but also reinforces his commitment to a migratory doctrine of exclusion, preventive punishment, and diplomatic pressure, which could have lasting repercussions on the foreign relations of the United States and the lives of thousands of affected individuals.
Amid rising global tensions, this new "travel ban 2.0" reinforces a policy that, for many, confuses security with exclusion, legality with collective punishment, and leadership with extreme nationalism.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trump's New Travel Restrictions
Which countries are affected by Trump's new travel ban?
The new travel ban affects citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, there are further restrictions for seven countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti.
What reasons did Trump give for implementing these travel restrictions?
Trump justified the restrictions by claiming national security risks. He pointed out that visitors from certain countries exceed the duration of their visas and relied on a report from the Department of Homeland Security regarding the countries with the highest rates of "overstay." However, this decision has been criticized as a form of collective punishment based on incomplete data.
How do these measures affect Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti?
Travel restrictions directly impact migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, and Haiti, countries that are already facing significant humanitarian crises. In Cuba, these measures present a new obstacle for citizens looking to escape authoritarianism and enter the U.S. In Venezuela, the shock is palpable due to existing restrictions, and in Haiti, thousands of families are left in uncertainty.
What reactions have Donald Trump's new restrictions generated in the international community?
The new travel restrictions have been widely criticized internationally. Civil rights organizations have condemned the measure and legal experts warn about the moral and diplomatic consequences. The African Union Commission has urged the U.S. to review its position in a balanced and evidence-based manner.
Filed under:
