Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Sunday announced a third version of his travel ban, which indefinitely bans citizens of eight countries from entering the United States. In response, Kelly Magsamen, vice president for National Security and International Policy at the Center for American Progress, released the following statement:
This travel ban still does not make the United States safer. The Trump administration has provided no evidence or specific information that nationals of the banned countries are a threat to the safety of Americans if they are allowed to enter the United States. But the original discriminatory intent remains and is now extended for an indefinite period.
No American has been killed in a terrorist attack in the United States by a national of one of the countries in Trump’s new ban. There is no security rationale given for why this step is necessary beyond general concerns about terrorism, as well as no explanation for why half of the countries the Trump administration itself says failed to provide adequate information on potential visitors are not included in the restrictions. This is not about security.
Don’t be fooled by the inclusion of North Korea and Venezuela in this version of the ban. The overwhelming majority of nationals affected hail from Muslim-majority nations. President Trump’s third try to prevent Muslims from entering the United States is a continuation of his reckless and dangerous policies that make Americans less safe.
For more information on this topic or to speak with an expert, contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.