A new travel ban by the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump, which restricts entry into the U.S. for citizens from 12 countries, came into effect yesterday, amid rising tensions over his intensified efforts to enforce immigration policy.
The new executive order, signed by Trump last week, applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
The order also introduces stricter restrictions for individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
According to guidance published Friday for all U.S. diplomatic missions, the new ban does not cancel visas already issued to individuals from the listed countries.
However, as of yesterday, visa applications will be denied unless the applicant qualifies for an exception.
Travelers who possess already issued visas should still be able to enter the U.S. after the ban comes into effect.
