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The US has expanded its controversial travel ban restricting visitors from three African countries
One country, Sudan, fell off the travel ban list issued at the beginning of the year but another has been added.
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This is an expansion of the preexisting travel ban that has spurred fierce legal debates over security, immigration and discrimination.
These African countries are Libya, Somalia and Chad.
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The travel ban comes on the day the key portion of President Trump’s travel ban, one which bars the issuance of visas to citizens of six majority-Muslim countries, was due to expire.
“As president, I must act to protect the security and interests of the United States and its people,” Trump wrote in a proclamation announcing the changes for visitors from specific nations. On Twitter, he added: “Making America Safe is my number one priority. We will not admit those into our country we cannot safely vet.”
An official from the White House said the new restrictions will not affect anyone who already holds a U.S. visa. For those visitors affected by the changed restrictions, the new rules will go into effect Oct. 18.
The Central African country Chad is the latest African country whose citizens will face restrictions on entry to the United States under a controversial and expanded travel ban.
It was added alongside North Korea and Venezuela due to “significant” terrorist presence in its borders, and for not “adequately” sharing security-related information with American officials.
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Critics have raised an argument about Chad's travel ban taking into consideration the country’s close relationship with Washington, and especially when it comes to regional counterterrorism efforts.
Reports say Chad is positioned at a key strategic point in a region teeming with revolts and terrorism. As such, from the beginning, Chad has been a Key member of the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, a US inter-agency program that helps governments defeat terrorists in the Sahel and West Africa regions.
The US marines and navy personnel have also provided training for Chadian officers, even deploying troops to Chad to help find the kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls.
The ban against Chad also comes even as president Trump looks to step up the fighting against terrorists in Africa, and across the world.
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