International Leaders Condemn Trump’s Travel Ban as Divisive, Unfair

June 11, 2025

President Donald Trump has issued a controversial travel ban that completely restricts entry to the United States from 12 countries and partially limits entry from seven additional countries, effective June 9. The proclamation targets nationals from predominantly African and Middle Eastern countries, with the administration citing high visa overstay rates as a primary justification for the restrictions. International organizations, including the International Refugee Assistance Project and the African Union Commission, have condemned the ban as discriminatory, racist, and potentially damaging to diplomatic relations.

Who is affected

Nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen (complete ban)
Citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela with specific visa types (partial ban)
Families seeking reunification with relatives in the U.S.
Students, tourists, and business travelers from the restricted countries
Nine African nations whose citizens face entry restrictions

What action is being taken

The U.S. government is implementing a complete travel ban for nationals from 12 countries
The U.S. is imposing partial restrictions on entry from seven additional countries
Consular offices are reducing the validity of nonimmigrant visas for citizens from the affected countries
Chad's President Mahamat Idriss Déby is reciprocating by halting visa issuance to U.S. citizens
The African Union Commission is formally opposing the ban through public statements

Why it matters

The ban separates families and prevents ordinary people who have gone through legal processes from entering the U.S.
It impacts diplomatic relations, particularly with African nations, as highlighted by the African Union Commission's concerns
The policy affects educational exchanges, commercial engagement, and people-to-people ties that have been developed over decades
Critics argue the ban represents a shift away from America's founding principles toward policies rooted in racial and religious prejudice
It signals a significant hardening of U.S. immigration policy based on national security concerns

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer