News Desk: President Donald Trump has declared a significant expansion of its travel restrictions. Adding five more countries to a full entry ban and blocking travel for holders of Palestinian Authority-issued passports.
The statement came soon after the arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard troops over the Thanksgiving weekend, an incident the administration cited to underline security risks.
As per the White House details, the new measures are aimed at strengthening national security and will take effect from 1 January. Nationals of Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, South Sudan and Syria will face complete entry restrictions, alongside Palestinian Authority passport holders.
In addition, Laos and Sierra Leone previously under limited restrictions have been moved to the full ban list. Partial travel limits have also been imposed on citizens of 15 other countries, including Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Since returning to office President Donald Trump, who has pursued stricter immigration policies in January and he said the decision was driven by concerns over inadequate screening and vetting processes in several countries. It is Pointed out by US officials that to high visa overstay rates, unreliable civil documentation, corruption, terrorist threats and poor cooperation in accepting deported nationals.
This is the third time that Trump has introduced a travel ban and a similar order during his first term in 2017 triggered widespread protests and legal challenges but was ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court.
According to The White House that the restrictions will remain in place until affected countries demonstrate to improve credibility in identity verification, information-sharing and cooperation with US immigration authorities.
The ban will not affect lawful permanent residents, most existing visa holders, diplomats or athletes attending major international sporting events. Officials also confirmed that waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis when travel is considered to be in the national interest.
Read more: US stops immigration processing of Afghan nationals after White House shooting
