Travel Ban Delayed, But Not Forgotten
In a move that has caught many off guard, the Trump administration has decided to indefinitely delay its proposed travel ban. The ban, which had stirred concerns among immigrant communities and civil rights groups, was expected to target travelers from several countries. However, instead of rolling it out, the administration seems to be taking a different route, tightening the visa controls.
Students in the Crosshairs
The U.S. government has ramped up visa revocations, especially targeting international students who have participated in pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses. Over 300 student visas have already been canceled as part of this quiet but aggressive immigration move.
One of the most talked-about cases is that of Rumeysa Ozturk, a doctoral student and Fulbright scholar. She was arrested near her university by plainclothes immigration officers. Her sudden detention made headlines, especially after a video of the incident went viral online. Officials later revealed her visa was revoked over alleged involvement in political activism related to Palestine.
A Tougher Policy in Place
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing officials to provide recommendations on which countries should face new visa restrictions, with a deadline for submission set for March 21.
This isn’t just a random sweep. The action follows a recent executive order allowing U.S. officials to cancel visas of anyone they believe is linked to “extremist” support, even if there’s no legal conviction. Many fear this order is being used to silence voices that criticize certain international policies or support humanitarian causes.
Trump Visa Review Delayed, Timeline Unclear
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said Monday that no new date has been set for the visa restriction recommendations tied to Trump’s executive order. She called the original deadline a “target date that no longer applies” without giving details.
Bruce emphasized that the department is still working to implement the order, focusing on whether countries meet U.S. security and vetting standards. When asked about delays, she declined specifics but reaffirmed that the effort is ongoing.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said that the department is conducting daily reviews to revoke visas of individuals engaged in criminal acts or activities that oppose U.S. national interests or foreign policy.
U.S. Travel Restrictions on Nations
The proposed travel restrictions by the U.S. administration involve more than 40 countries, categorized into three groups based on the severity of the restrictions:
Full Visa Suspension (“Red” List): Afghanistan, Bhutan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.
Partial Visa Suspension (“Orange” List): Belarus, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Turkmenistan
Enhanced Vetting (“Yellow” List): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Vanuatu, and Zimbabwe.
