A Travel ban refers to a diplomatic measure prohibiting a person from entering or remaining in a country. This was an Executive Order 13769, government restriction on entry to the United States, effective January 27, 2017 by President Donal Trump.
On the 1st of February 2020, the U.S placed six states ( Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, Tanzania, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar) on a travel ban which is effective February 22nd 2020 due to their non compliance with meeting the security information requirements required by the Interpol.
What are the ban implications?
- The US said it would suspend the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Nigeria, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, and Myanmar.
- Sudanese and Tanzanian nationals will no longer be allowed to apply for “diversity visas”, which are available by lottery for applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the US.
- Mr Wolf said non-immigrant visas given to people for temporary stays – including visitors, those doing business or people seeking medical treatment – would not be impacted by the new rules.
- Of the new nationalities facing visa restrictions, Nigerians account for the most immigration to the US.
- According to US government statistics, the State Department issued 8,018 immigrant visas to Nigerians in the fiscal year 2018.
- Kyrgyzstan and Sudan have large Muslim majorities, while around 50% of people in Nigeria and Eritrea are Muslim. Tanzania also has a sizable Muslim community
Despite the ban, they say it would not affect tourism, business and student travel but it could have an impact on US citizens who want to be reunited with family members living in the affected countries.
In reality, Nigerians have seen a significant decrease in visa access to America immediately after Trump became the president.
In Nigeria, President Buhari’s administration has set up a committee to work with the US government and Interpol to ensure Nigeria complies with global security standards.
Nigeria’s spokesman Femi Adesina said in a statement. –
“Nigeria remains committed to maintaining productive relations with the United States and its international allies, especially on matters of global security.
Nigeria’s foreign minister Geoffrey Onyeama in reaction to the announcement said:
He was “somewhat blindsided” by the Trump administration’s ban on Nigerian immigrants but that he had been assured by American officials that visa restrictions could soon be lifted.- New York Times
Overall;
With the addition of Nigeria to its list, the Trump administration’s travel restrictions will affect nearly a quarter of the 1.2 billion people in Africa, according to the Center for Global Development.
In 2018 the US issued twice as many immigration visas to Nigeria than to the other five nations combined.
News sources: CNN, BBC, NY Times
I spoke at length on this issue here
