Uganda and Tanzania are among 36 countries, primarily in Africa, facing potential new US travel restrictions as the Trump administration raises concerns about national security. Countries are given 60 days to comply with requirements set by the State Department, or they may face bans starting soon. The implications of these measures underscore continued scrutiny of immigration policies under Trump.
Uganda and Tanzania are among a list of 36 nations potentially facing new travel restrictions from the United States, according to recent reports. This development comes mere weeks after the Trump administration imposed travel bans on citizens from 12 other countries due to national security issues. The draft list reportedly includes 26 African nations and several others from the Caribbean, Central Asia, and Pacific Islands.
The complete list of affected African countries encompasses Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, South Sudan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. From the Caribbean, nations such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia have also been named. Additionally, the draft includes Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan from Central Asia and Pacific island nations like Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
The communication regarding these potential restrictions was given via a memo from the US State Department, dated Saturday and signed by Secretary of State Mark Rubio. This memo has been shared with the governments of the listed countries, providing them a 60-day period to meet set benchmarks to avoid restrictions.
According to the memo’s contents, these countries are falling short on essential standards, including having dependable governmental systems and adequate civil documentation. Concerns also arise from several nations, particularly those with high instances of citizens overstaying US visas, or where there is a lack of a cooperative central authority. Moreover, the memo flagged countries offering citizenship through monetary investments without residency requirements and cited worries over antisemitic or anti-American behavior exhibited by individuals from these nations during their time in the US.
Countries that exhibit willingness to repatriate deported third-country nationals or establish ‘safe third country’ agreements could alleviate some of these concerns. On Wednesday, these nations were directed to present an initial action plan detailing how they could comply with these demands.
The memo was unclear about the timeline for when the proposed travel restrictions might be put into effect, leaving many uncertainties hanging. It is also important to note that previously, on June 5, President Trump signed an Executive Order that barred citizens from several countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, and others from entering the United States. The administration indicated that the list of affected countries might change and expand in the future.
In summary, Uganda and Tanzania face possible new travel restrictions from the US, as included in a draft memo detailing concerns about various countries. The US government has asked the nations listed to respond with an action plan to rectify compliance issues within 60 days. While the specific timeline for any new restrictions remains uncertain, the memo reflects ongoing scrutiny regarding national security and immigration policies under the current administration.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
