The Trump administration announced Thursday a sweeping expansion of visa restrictions aimed at barring foreign nationals who work on behalf of adversarial nations to undermine U.S. interests in the Western Hemisphere.
To enforce the newly expanded policy, the State Department immediately imposed visa restrictions on 26 unidentified individuals across the Americas. The ban generally renders both the targeted individuals and their immediate family members ineligible to enter the United States.
The policy targets individuals within the region who knowingly direct, fund, or carry out activities for adversarial countries, agents, or corporate enterprises. According to the State Department, targeted offenses include helping adversaries acquire vital assets and strategic resources, destabilizing regional security, undermining U.S. economic interests, and conducting influence operations.
The department tied the action to President Donald Trump’s National Security Strategy, stating the administration intends to deny adversarial powers the ability to control key infrastructure or threaten regional prosperity.
“The Trump Administration will use every available tool to protect our national security interests, defend American interests, and promote our region’s safety and prosperity,” the State Department said in a written statement.
The restrictions are being enforced under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision that allows the government to exclude foreign nationals whose entry would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
