US bans travellers from six countries

david nganga

June 30, 2017 10:34 AM

Trump's administration has effected a travel ban to six countries deemed as a "threat" to the country's security

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US President Donald’s Trump government has effected a travel ban to refugees and travellers from six countries.

Travellers from six Muslim nations namely, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen will now be prevented from entering the US after the travel ban went into effect from Thursday night.

The restrictions that are temporary for now, 90 days for visitors and 120 days for refugees from the six nations, will however exempt people with “close family relationships” in the US.

Going by this exemption, only sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and stepchildren will be allowed entry whereas grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, cousins and fiances will be locked out.

Many people are however concerned about a possibly chaotic roll out of enforcement of the ban, like that in January when it was first announced.

The Department of Homeland Security, which was heavily criticized for mishandling many arrivals when the ban was first attempted in January, promised a smooth roll out this time.

It stressed that anyone with a valid visa issued before the ban begins would still be admitted, and that all authorized refugees booked for travel before July 6 will also be allowed.

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Trump's first announced a temporary travel ban on Jan. 27, calling it a counter-terrorism measure to allow time to develop better security vetting.

The order caused chaos at airports, as officials scrambled to enforce it before it was blocked by courts. Opponents argued that the measure discriminated against Muslims and that there was no security rationale for it.

david nganga