Trump Expands ban on travel to US from 3 African countries, 5 others

Three African countries and five other countries across the globe have been placed on new travel restrictions by the United States government.

According to agency reports, travelers to the United States from eight countries will henceforth commencing October 18th 2017, face new restrictions under a revised travel ban order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday.

The new rules, which take effect on Oct. 18, affect citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.

The report further revealed that, U.S. officials had said that the affected countries have refused to share information about terrorism and other issues with the United States.

The announcement late Sunday came as Trump’s previous temporary ban on visitors from six Muslim-majority countries was expiring, 90 days after it went into effect.

The earlier order had barred citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen from entering the U.S. unless they had a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States.”

Reaction to the president’s order from human-rights organizations and other groups that work with immigrants was swift, and largely negative.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, said the latest version of the “Muslim ban” that Trump tried to introduce on taking office earlier this year was part of the administration’s “ugly white supremacist agenda.”

Trump said in the new proclamation: “As president, I must act to protect the security and interests of the United States and its people. The restrictions announced are tough and tailored, and they send a message to foreign governments that they must work with us to enhance security.”