Several months after former President Donald Trump implemented a travel ban affecting 12 countries, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) may soon enforce further restrictions related to Green Cards. Leaked documents from the Department of Homeland Security indicate possible changes targeting immigrants from countries included in the travel ban. This move is seen as part of Trump’s broader efforts to tighten US immigration policy, though the new rule has not yet been finalized.
The travel ban, announced in June, blocked citizens from 12 countries—mainly in Africa and the Middle East—from entering the US. The banned countries are:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Seven additional countries faced partial restrictions, limiting access to residency or visitor visas. These included Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. India is not part of the list.
Trump claimed the policy was in response to security threats and concerns about visa overstays. However, critics argue it targets people based on nationality rather than individual background.
There were exceptions to the ban. Individuals with valid visas or Green Cards, athletes attending future international events in the US, special visa holders from Afghanistan, persecuted minorities from Iran, and some US government workers were all exempted. The Secretary of State also holds the authority to grant individual exceptions if considered in the national interest.
While USCIS has not commented, some former officials criticize the draft Green Card rule for being overly broad and discriminatory. One called it a “radical change” that could impact even legal US residents.
