Gerrard Kaonga
Donald Trump has reenacted one of his most controversial policies from his first term and some nations have already responded.
President Trump has signed an executive order that will ban people from entering the US if they are coming from 12 certain countries.
Trump signed the travel ban on June 4 and noted that it will come into effect on Monday. It is not clear whether countries will be removed, added before this time, however.
Trump explained his reasoning behind the move and argued the US must protect itself from foreign individuals who may wish to bring harm to the citizens.
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He said: “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas.
“As President, I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.”
The countries on the list are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
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The Trump administration will 'partially restrict and limit the entry of nationals' from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela as well.
Representatives for Venezuela have already fired back at the US following Trump's announcement.
Diosdado Cabello, the interior minister in Caracas, didn’t appear to hold back as he described the US government as fascist.
He said, as per The Guardian: “Being in the United States is a great risk for anyone, not just for Venezuelans. It's fascism, they are supremacists who think they own the world and persecute our people for no reason"
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Somalia appeared to have a softer approach after also finding its nation among the country that are on the travel ban list.
The Somali ambassador to the US Dahir Hassan Abdi said: “Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised.”
Trump also took to Truth Social to remark at how he plans to evaluate the list in the future.
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He wrote: “The list is subject to revision based on whether material improvements are made, and likewise new countries can be added as threats emerge around the world.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who see to enter the United States.”
He also noted that the list would be evaluated in three month's time, and then every six months after that.
UNILAD has approached the White House for comment.