Press Release
Published on January 31, 2020
WASHINGTON –Earlier today President Trump issued a “proclamation” imposing new restrictions on people coming from primarily African countries of Eritrea, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania as well as Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar. Human Rights First condemned this latest attempt by the Trump administration to ban people of targeted nationalities from the United States.
“The president is marking the three-year anniversary of his Muslim ban with another xenophobic and discriminatory ban that will leave Americans separated from their family members,” said Eleanor Acer, head of refugee protection at Human Right First. “The latest Trump Administration effort to ban targeted nationalities will block many Africans and the African family members of U.S. citizens from traveling. In many cases, the people impacted are trying to leave countries that have been plagued by human rights abuses and conflict. Once again, the administration tried to dress up its discriminatory and xenophobic policies in the language of national security.”
In addition to suspending the issuance of visas that can lead to permanent residency for nationals of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar and Nigeria, as well as visas available by lottery for applicants from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States including Sudan and Tanzania, Human Rights First is concerned that the ban would lead to the continued separation of families. The proclamation appears to apply to I-130 petitions which allow U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) – including a refugee or asylee who is already a U.S. citizen or LPR – to petition to bring a family member to the United States.
