President Trump has issued a presidential proclamation banning or restricting travel from eight countries, adding Chad and Venezuela and North Korea to the original list of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. Nationals of Sudan, who were impacted by earlier versions of the travel ban, are not included in the proclamation as senior administration officials said a review of Sudan’s cooperation with the U.S. government on national security and information-sharing showed it was appropriate to remove it from the list.
The new restrictions will be phased in over time, officials said, and the restrictions will not affect anyone who already holds a U.S. visa. Since the travel ban is condition-based, if and when the conditions change for any of the eight countries, the proclamation can be changed. Also, at any time, the Secretary of Homeland Security can recommend that countries be added. The restrictions are indefinite, however, since they don't have a 90- or 120-day limit like the previous travel bans Trump issued in January and in March. The new travel restrictions are effective immediately for those subject to the two earlier travel bans with no bona fide relationship to a U.S. person or entity and take effect October 18 for those subject to these new provisions. Though exceptions and waivers are included in certain circumstances, the following countries and conditions are included in the proclamation:
New countries:
- Chad: Suspends the entry of immigrants and temporary visitors on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
- North Korea: Suspends the entry of all immigrants and nonimmigrants.
- Venezuela: Suspends the entry of certain government officials and their family members on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
Countries impacted by earlier bans which are included in this most recent proclamation:
- Iran: Suspends the entry of immigrants and all nonimmigrants, except F (student), M (vocational student) and J (exchange visitor) visas, though they are subject to enhanced screening.
- Libya: Suspends the entry of immigrants and temporary visitors on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
- Somalia: Suspends the entry of immigrants, and requires enhanced screening of all nonimmigrants.
- Syria: Suspends the entry of all immigrants and nonimmigrants.
- Yemen: Suspends the entry of immigrants and temporary visitors on business or tourist visas (B-1/B-2).
- Iraq: Requires enhanced screening of all individuals seeking to enter the United States.