Uganda and Tanzania are among 36 countries facing potential U.S. travel restrictions, as revealed in a draft memo from the State Department. The memo outlines that these countries are failing to meet governance and security standards, giving them 60 days to comply. This development follows Trump’s previous travel bans impacting various nations.
Uganda and Tanzania have landed on a draft list of 36 countries that could soon face new travel restrictions imposed by the United States. This comes just weeks after former President Donald Trump’s administration announced a ban impacting citizens from 12 countries over national security concerns. The proposed list includes a significant number of African nations, alongside others from the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific Islands.
Reportedly, the list comprises 26 African countries among them. Nations such as Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and nine others round out this considerable compilation. Caribbean nations under scrutiny include Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Dominica. From Central Asia, Bhutan and Kyrgyzstan are included, along with Pacific territories like Tonga and Tuvalu.
According to a memo from the State Department, which surfaced on Saturday and was signed by Secretary of State Mark Rubio, governments of the countries listed have been informed of the 60-day deadline to address concerns raised by the United States. This memo outlines that these nations are potentially falling short in several areas, such as maintaining efficient government systems and providing adequate civil documentation for their citizens.
Specifically, the memo highlights issues like high overstay rates of visas among these countries’ citizens, inadequate central authorities, and instances of fraud. There are also worries regarding some countries that allow citizenship purchase without necessary residency requirements, along with reported incidents of antisemitism or anti-American sentiments by nationals while in the U.S.
To counteract these problems, the document advises the affected nations to develop an action plan by Wednesday, aimed at addressing the issues noted. Failure to comply with these benchmarks could lead to the implementation of travel bans, although the memo does not clarify when those restrictions may take effect.
It is worth noting that back in early June, Trump had signed an Executive Order restricting entry for citizens from specific countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Yemen, among others. He had also indicated that this list would remain fluid, with possibilities for additional nations to be added in the future.
Meanwhile, tensions have been building as the implications of this draft list linger for Uganda, Tanzania, and the other nations involved. Diplomatic efforts will likely intensify in the coming weeks as these countries strive to align with U.S. requirements.
In summary, both Uganda and Tanzania, along with 34 other nations, may soon face new travel restrictions from the United States, as outlined in a recent State Department memo. The nations on the list have been given 60 days to improve their compliance with key benchmarks related to governance and national security. This situation develops against the backdrop of former President Trump’s previous travel bans, suggesting a potentially ongoing trend in U.S. immigration policy.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
