Trump bars Palestinian passport holders from entering the US

The Trump administration places travel restrictions on residents of the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and six other countries, citing terrorism threat.

By World Israel News Staff

The Trump administration has imposed travel restrictions on the residents of the Palestinian Authority and seven countries in Africa and Asia, the White House announced.

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump issued a proclamation ordering the suspension of travel to the United States of residents of the Palestinian Authority, Syria, Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, and South Sudan.

Under the order, US border control and immigration authorities will no longer recognize passports, other travel documents, or forms of identification issued by any of the seven countries or the Palestinian Authority as valid.

The move will bar entry into the US to travelers carrying passports from the PA or the seven listed countries.

Dual citizens who also carry a passport from a country whose travel documents are still recognized will be able to enter the US.

Five of the seven countries impacted, along with the Palestinian Authority, have Muslim-majority populations, and four, plus the Palestinian Authority, are home to major Islamist terror organizations.

In the case of the Palestinian Authority, Trump’s proclamation noted that multiple terrorist groups operate in the Gaza Strip, Judea, and Samaria, including organizations which “have murdered American citizens.”

Trump also said that the war between Israel and Hamas has likely “resulted in compromised vetting and screening abilities.”

Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Laos were also included on the list due to high visa overstay rates and refusal by the respective governments to cooperate with the US in repatriating illegal immigrants residing in the US.

“It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security and public safety, incite hate crimes, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes,” Trump declared.

“The United States Government must ensure that admitted aliens do not intend to threaten its citizens; undermine or destabilize its culture, government, institutions, or founding principles; or advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to our national security.”