New Travel Ban Under Trump: Visitors Face Increased Scrutiny at U.S. Airports

MIAMI (AP) — President Trump’s latest travel ban targeting citizens from twelve countries started on Monday. While the process seemed calm, some travelers with valid visas faced extra questioning at U.S. airports.

This ban largely impacts nations from Africa and the Middle East. Unlike the confusion that followed the earlier ban in 2017, this rollout was relatively smooth.

Vincenta Aguilar and her husband, both from Guatemala, felt nervous during their arrival at Miami International Airport. They underwent three interviews before being allowed entry, even though Guatemala was not on the ban list. Aguilar recalled, “They asked us about our jobs, our kids, and how we planned to afford our visit."

Fortunately, after about an hour, they reunited with family.

The new ban affects citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also imposes stricter measures on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, especially those without valid visas. However, previously issued visas remain valid for entry.

Narayana Lamy, a Haitian government worker, experienced a similar monitoring process upon arrival but was eventually allowed to visit family. In contrast, Luis Hernandez, a Cuban green card holder, reported a hassle-free return to Miami.

Experts note that this ban is carefully designed to withstand legal challenges, unlike the earlier one which faced significant backlash and modifications. The current policy uses the visa application process to create stricter entry criteria. Trump mentions "deficient" screening practices in some countries and cites a Homeland Security report on visa overstays as reasoning for the ban.

Opinions about the ban are mixed. Critics express concerns that it promotes division. For instance, Abby Maxman, head of Oxfam America, argues it doesn’t enhance national security but instead targets vulnerable communities. In contrast, Roland Bastien, a Haitian-American, sees it as a necessary step to ensure safety, stating, “The United States want to know exactly what type of people are coming in this country.”

For more insights on the complexities of immigration policies, you can refer to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Source link