On March 6, 2017, United States President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 13780, also known as the Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States order. This replaced a previous executive order that was issued in January of 2017. Since it was signed, two presidential proclamations have revised the order. This is because court rulings prevented provisions of the order from being enforced. However, the Supreme Court has upheld the most recent version since June of 2018. This executive order is also known informally as the “travel ban.” Under the order, there are limitations or bans placed on nationals from other nations who are traveling to the United States. The travel ban has been a very controversial issue. The executive order was signed in order to secure the borders of the U.S. and protect it from terrorism. However, some people believe that it is in violation of the Constitution and argue that it the order was simply part of an anti-Muslim agenda.
There are currently seven nations on the travel ban list: Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen. Chad was removed from the travel ban list effective April 10, 2018. For Iranians, only nationals with student vistas or exchange visitor vistas can enter the U.S. However, even with these credentials, all nations are subject to enhanced screening. For Libyans, entry of nations on a business, tourist, or business/tourist visa has been suspended. Entry of all North Korean and Syrian nationals has been suspended. Specific government officials from Venezuela, as well as their immediate family members on business, tourist, or business/tourist visas, are suspended from entering the U.S. For Yemen nations, Yemenis with business, tourist, or business/tourist visas aren’t allowed in the United States. Finally, entry of Somali nationals as immigrants has been suspended.
