Back to Travel Bans

Via CBS News: Trump signs travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, restrictions on 7 more.

Mr. Trump’s proclamation fully bans the entry of foreigners from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. With certain exemptions, Mr. Trump’s order bans citizens of those countries seeking to come to the U.S. permanently as legal immigrants, as well as temporary visa holders, like tourists.

The president also partially suspended the entry of travelers and immigrants from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. That part of his proclamation applies to all prospective immigrants from these countries with visas to settle in the U.S. permanently and certain temporary visa holders.

The ban is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 9. 

Mr. Trump said the sweeping entry restrictions were necessary to address concerns related to terrorism in the countries listed in the order, inadequate vetting of the affected nationals and the lack of cooperation on deportations among some of the nations.

Or, this is just bullying (the part about “cooperation on deportations”) and basic xenophobia. It may have more than something to do with hue as well.

Given that a substantial amount of Trump’s base already fears foreigners, especially those with darker skin (a fear that Trump constantly stokes), I am sure many of them will be just fine with this.

Mr. Trump’s decree contains certain exemptions, including for U.S. permanent residents, the spouses and children of U.S. citizens who have “clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship,” Afghans who assisted American forces and have special visas, diplomats, athletes and dual nationals with a passport from a country not listed in his proclamation.

I would note that NPR reported this morning that the families of Afghans who assisted the US are not included. I also expect any number of hassles for spouses and children of US citizens over whether they have “clear and convincing” documentation.

The announcement of the ban follows an attack Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, on marchers raising attention for Israelis taken hostage by Hamas. The suspect was identified by U.S. officials as an Egyptian national who had overstayed his tourist visa.

While Mr. Trump did not place any restrictions on the entry of Egyptian nationals, his proclamation directed officials to assess the “adequacy” of Egypt’s vetting policies, “in light of recent events.”

In a video statement released by the White House Wednesday night, Mr. Trump said the Boulder attack “underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas. We don’t want them.” 

For what it is worth, I find the notion that someone from X nation committed an act of terrorism and so banning all citizens from X protects us, but it is so very Trumpian to cite a terror attack as a justification for the ban, but not to include the country from whence came said terrorist.

Now seems like a great time to remind us all that the biggest terror attack on US soil was perpetrated largely by Saudi nationals. I am not suggesting Saudi nationals should be barred from entry, but if we are using the administration’s logic, they should be on the list, yes? But, you know, MBS is a pal!

We are cutting off tourists, international students, business opportunities, as well as the ability of nationals in these countries to visit family living in the US. The notion that all of this makes us safer is simply untrue.

May I note that Medicaid expansion or stricter gun laws would save far more American lives than any of these so-called “national security” moves?

And USAID was a far better anti-terrorism program than travel bans will ever be. Ditto, educating international students.

Maybe the next EO should revise the National Anthem to remove the lines “Land of the free and home of the brave.”