Travelers respond to the latest travel ban from President Trump
“Pros and Cons.” Los Angeles travellers responded to the news that President Donald Trump’s travel ban had affected nearly 20 countries.
- President Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban that will affect 19 countries.
- The ban bans entry to most foreigners from 12 countries and will halt travel for seven other people.
- Experts warn that the ban could have a negative impact on the US economy and segregated families.
President Donald Trump announced a new travel ban Wednesday evening, banning most visitors from 12 countries and limiting seven other visitors.
The ban came into effect at 12:10am on June 9th and bans travel to the United States for foreigners from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
It also includes travel halts in Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and the Venezuelan Nationals.
How will the ban affect travelers who already have tickets?
The ban can cause problems even for travelers who already have tickets and documents to enter the US.
“They will not enter Monday unless they qualify for very rare exceptions, including diplomats, NATOs, athletes and people alongside people who extend their family situations,” said the managing partner of PC, a law firm focused on immigration, which said today. “They may have a hard time getting in by Monday.”
Wildes said it advised clients from affected countries not to travel to the US until further notice.
“I warn them not to travel and turn around because it effectively ends their visa,” he said. “If they are denied entry, they will develop an immediate, unfavourable history.” This would also make future visa applications and visits much more complicated.
Wildes expects the ban to end in court, but added that the process could take weeks or months. He suggested that travelers subject to the ban should not attempt to enter the United States during that time.
Economic impact of Trump’s travel ban
Experts warn that bans can also have significant economic consequences.
“President Trump’s decision to reimpose and extend his first term of travel bans based on blankets and discriminatory nationality will bring about a massive cost for all Americans,” Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Council of Immigration, said in a statement. “These travel bans do nothing to make us safer or more prosperous. They do harm to our economy and indiscriminately punish immigrants who are otherwise eligible to come to the United States legally.”
The organization’s statement noted that in 2023, more than 115,000 green cards were issued to people only in Cuba, Venezuela and Haiti.
Alex Nowrasteh, vice president of economic and social policy studies at Cato Institute, said he wrote that the travel ban is unlikely to have a major impact on national security.
“The government should pursue a rational and evidence-based approach when assessing the threat posed by foreigners. Otherwise, the government is wasting resources and preventing purposeless, peaceful and voluntary exchange,” writes Nowrasteh. “The threat of foreign-born terrorism and crime is becoming more manageable and smaller, especially from countries facing new regime bans and restrictions.”
Similarly, Wilde warned that the ban could have negative economic consequences and affect loved ones on the families they are targeted by the policy.
“It will have a serious emotional and economic impact on our country,” he said.
Which citizens are prohibited from entering the United States?
The complete travel ban applies to citizens of the following 12 countries:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Additionally, partial restrictions will be imposed on the following citizens:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Take home
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Zach Wichter is a travel journalist and writes the USA Today Cruising Advanced Column. He is based in New York and can be contacted at zwichter@usatoday.com.
