According to reporting from KTLA 5, the Trump Administration has drafted plans to expand its travel ban rules to cover seven new countries. If enacted, the new rules could limit both travel options and immigration options for residents of these seven countries. Below, our immigration lawyer in Los Angeles provides an overview of the current reporting regarding the Trump Administration’s latest travel ban push.
Which Countries are Covered By the Proposed Travel Ban Expansion?
Beyond the initial countries already subject to the Trump Administration’s travel ban, the following seven countries may also be facing new travel/immigration restrictions in the coming weeks and months:
- Belarus;
- Eritrea;
- Kyrgyzstan;
- Myanmar;
- Nigeria;
- Sudan; and
- Tanzania.
How Does the New Travel Ban Work?
It is complicated. As the final rules have not been published, we do not yet know how exactly any new restrictions will work. Once again, the administration is struggling with transparency.
According to sources cited by KTLA 5 and other news organizations, the travel restrictions are not expected to be uniform from country to country. In other words, some of the countries included could be subject to especially restrictive immigration bans and other countries may only be subject to more moderate restrictions.
As an anonymous representative of the Trump Administration told reporters, complete blanket travel bans are unlikely for most countries. However, residents of the countries may be excluded from participating in key programs, including getting access to business visas or visitor visas.
Still, no matter the specific form it takes, any travel ban would have a significant and immediate impact on the day-to-day lives of many people. Farhana Khera, President of Muslim Advocates, noted that thousands of people are being kept apart from their loved ones due to the initial “bigoted and cruel ban” and that expanded national origin-based travel restrictions “won’t make us any safer.”
Is the Travel Ban Certain to Become Law?
No. As explained by The Wall Street Journal, administration officials are still debating the merits of the plan. A final decision about what countries will be included and how strict each travel/immigration ban will be made by President Trump. From there, the proposal is subject to a review period and may face legal challenges.
In 2017, the Trump Administration had to rewrite its initial travel ban three times before finally receiving approval from the conservative majority on the Supreme Court. The ACLU, which filed lawsuits against all three versions of the initial travel ban, has not yet commented on this matter. Our legal team will keep a very close watch on this developing story.
Call Our Los Angeles, CA Immigration Lawyer for Immediate Help
At the Goldstein Immigration Lawyers, our legal practice is dedicated to protecting immigrant rights. We believe that every client deserves attentive, personalized legal advocacy from an experienced professional. To schedule a completely confidential review of your immigration case, please call our Los Angeles law office. We represent clients throughout Southern California.
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