Somalis among nationals banned from entering the US

WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump made his threat a reality by signing a decree that would see nationals of 12 countries, among them Somalia, banned from entering the US, with the GOP administration insisting that 'we're protecting our nationals from foreign terrorists'.

Since 1990, most Somalis have moved to the United States due to insecurity, bad governance, and terrorism, finding their home in the West, where most have prospered politically, socially, and economically for the last three decades.

Other countries affected by the Trump ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen. The countries are battling with insecurity in their respective homes, with others tackling dictatorship.

The entry of people from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, will be partially restricted. The travel restrictions were first reported by CBS News, Reuters stated.

"We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm," Trump said in a video posted on X. He said the list could be revised and new countries could be added. The new directive takes effect on June 9, 2025.

However, visas issued before that date will not be revoked, the order said. In his first term, Trump sanctioned travelers from Muslim dominated countries, a policy which was severely opposed before reaffirmation by the Supreme Court.

In 2021, former President Joe Biden repealed the restrictions, terming it "a stain on our national conscience." According to Trump, the affected countries harbour terrorism, severely impacting the global community.

"We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States," Trump said.
He cited Sunday's incident in Boulder, Colorado, in which a man tossed a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators as an example of why the new restrictions are needed.

Somalia immediately pledged to work with the U.S. to address security issues. "Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised," Dahir Hassan Abdi, the Somali ambassador to the United States, said in a statement.

Trump administrations have been critical of Muslims, leading to global campaigns against his policies, with many countries and stakeholders accusing him of embracing Islamophobia, a phenomenon significantly affecting integration.

GAROWE ONLINE