President Issues Third Travel Ban in Ten Months
On Sun, Sept. 24, the Trump administration issued the third travel ban within a one-year time frame. Trump added two more countries to the ban list, bringing the total affected countries from six to eight. The banned countries include Chad, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen. This restriction will go fully into effect on Oct. 21.
According to ABC News, the White House made a statement following the announcement of the restriction, calling it a “critical step toward establishing an immigration system that protects Americans’ safety and security in an era of dangerous terrorism and transnational crime.”
In most instances, Trump’s executive order broadly suspends travel, while in other cases, travelers have to undergo enhanced screening and vetting requirements. However, the order does not revoke current valid-issued green cards, visas or travel documents.
In response to Trump’s decision, citizens domestically and internationally have been filing lawsuits against the restrictions. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) was one of many organizations to challenge Trump’s travel ban in court.
According to the official website of ACLU, the organizations sent a letter to U.S. District Judge Theodore D. Chuang, asserting that Trump’s latest ban violates federal law. They asked Chuang, a federal judge in Maryland, to schedule a conference to discuss filing an amended complaint as well as a bid to stop implementation of the directive.
“President Trump’s newest travel ban is still a Muslim ban at its core, and it certainly engages in discrimination based on national origin, which is unlawful,” ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero said in a statement, adding that the organization would “see President Trump in court — again.”
The US News and World Report also reported that “six individual plaintiffs who are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents with Iranian relatives who could be blocked from coming to the United States, along with the group Iranian Alliances Across Borders, claim the ban violates an immigration law that prevents discrimination based on nationality.”
Crystal Lantz, Director of International Scholar Services at Wilson College, has also expressed concerned towards the ban.
“The ban is definitely a hot topic in our country, and I know that it will be challenged in the courts once again,” said Lantz. “I think it’s important for people to talk about their reactions to the travel ban and what the impact may be. Many Americans simply will feel no impact, and therefore will think that the travel ban is no big deal or even that it is necessary for our national security. However, I believe that maintaining strong relationships in the global community is important. A large part of that is making sure America continues to be a welcoming place for students, scholars, and visitors from around the world.”
Lantz added, “I have always appreciated the diversity in perspectives found in the international community. Making friends from other countries is a great way to challenge the way I think, learn more about the world, and understand that life outside of the American bubble is pretty great too. It helps break down the idea that we live in an ‘us vs. them’ world, which unfortunately is at the heart of so many conflicts right now.”
Ameni Hazel ‘18, an international exchange student from Tunisia, also disagrees with the new ban.
“Well, I believe that the ban is actually nonsense,” said Hazel. “I mean, if Trump is really worried about terrorisms, I would say that terrorism can be an American guy. Also, what if the future of one citizen from a banned country depends on the permission to travel to the States? Will he have to end his future plans just because the president assumes he is a terrorist and restricts him from coming in? This ban really takes away human’s rights.”
Despite many opposing views, Trump insisted that his decision was for the greater good of America’s security system.
Trump tweeted, “Making America Safe is my number one priority. We will not admit those into our country we cannot safely vet.”
Trump’s ban has gone through many iterations. Trump issued the first ban which targeted seven countries right after his inauguration in January. However, the court denied to ban after chaotic implementations at airports.
Trump signed the second ban targeting six countries in March. Although his ban failed to go through lower courts, it was partially revived by the Supreme Court in June.