Washington DC (QNN)- US President Donald Trump signed a new proclamation on Tuesday expanding US travel restrictions. The proclamation imposes full entry limitations on individuals holding Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents, alongside nationals from 17 other countries.
The White House claimed that the move strengthens national security. It alleged that the move targets countries and territories with “persistent deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing.” The proclamation cites 'terrorist activity' in the West Bank and Gaza and the Palestinian Authority’s limited control over the occupied region.
The restrictions continue limits on the original 12 'high-risk' countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It adds full restrictions on Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, and Sierra Leone. Partial restrictions remain for 15 other countries.
The proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, diplomats, and certain categories like athletes. However, it narrows family-based visa carve-outs.
For the Palestinian Authority, the proclamation cites the presence of US-designated terrorist groups and compromised vetting abilities due to ongoing 'conflict.' Authorities claimed that individuals traveling on PA-issued documents cannot be properly screened.
The White House framed the restrictions as part of Trump’s broader effort to “secure America’s borders” and prevent the entry of individuals who pose potential threats.
Last August, the United States barred senior Palestinian Authority officials, including President Mahmoud Abbas, from obtaining US visas and revoked existing visas to prevent them from attending the UN General Assembly meeting in New York, where several countries announced their intention to recognize Palestine.
