Category: Immigration

Newly launched platform reveals the chaotic implementation of family separations during the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in immigration practices.

On October 30, 2025, the American Immigration Council unveiled a new platform aimed at analyzing records pertaining to the U.S. government’s tumultuous execution of family separations during the controversial zero-tolerance policy period under the first Trump administration.

This transparency project provides a detailed examination of what many consider to be one of the most disgraceful immigration policies in modern American history. It also highlights the responses from various stakeholders during the crisis, offering critical insights into how public resistance emerged against this harmful policy.

The project draws upon thousands of internal government emails, memos, and previously unreleased datasets obtained through Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and litigation. It reveals that the zero-tolerance policy was not merely a reactionary measure but a calculated strategy intended to deter migration by punishing families while obscuring accountability.

“Thanks to these records, we can more clearly see the inner workings of how this atrocity was carried out and the public’s struggle to obtain transparency and accountability,” said Raul Pinto, deputy legal director for transparency at the American Immigration Council. “The same disregard for oversight and human consequences that made family separation possible is now re-emerging in the ongoing mass detention and deportation efforts.”

The family separation project features interactive visualizations and declassified documents that illustrate how families were systematically erased from government databases. It also reveals how officials misled the public and how congressional oversight, along with media scrutiny, played a crucial role in bringing the policy to an end. The project includes audio recordings of actor Corey Stoll reading significant internal government emails that expose the confusion and insensitivity surrounding the policy’s implementation.

Key findings from the archive underscore the troubling realities of the family separation policy. Internal communications show that officials were aware their data on separated families was “corrupt.” Leaders within Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) expressed a lack of confidence in their own data regarding children taken from their parents, even while publicly denying any wrongdoing.

Moreover, oversight from Congress, the media, and regulatory agencies proved vital in halting family separations. However, as of 2025, critical oversight bodies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General and the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties have faced significant sidelining or defunding.

The records indicate that the family separation policy was characterized by intentional chaos. Confusion was weaponized to create significant delays in the reunification of children with their parents, exacerbating the trauma experienced by affected families.

“The records don’t just show government officials’ egregiousness and cruelty. They serve as a warning for our current moment of mass detention and deportation that is still seeing families separated,” Pinto stated. “These records illustrate how data manipulation and secrecy enabled systemic human rights violations during the first Trump administration. Without transparency and oversight, history will repeat itself.”

The newly created portal, a result of years of FOIA litigation by the American Immigration Council and its partners, allows journalists, researchers, and policymakers to delve into key documents and data that expose the inner workings of family separation and the failures that ensued.

Despite claims that the family separation policy ended in June 2018, hundreds of children remained separated from their parents for years, with some still not reunited. “Family separation was a national shame made possible by bureaucratic indifference to human suffering,” Pinto added. “The lesson here is clear: a collapse of oversight allows for cruelty to fill the vacuum.”

Source: Original article

On September 4, a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia resulted in the detention of at least 475 workers, highlighting the chaos of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

On September 4, law enforcement agents from various state and federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a significant immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in southeastern Georgia. This operation led to the detention of at least 475 workers, many of whom were South Korean nationals, with some reportedly holding legal status. This incident marks the largest worksite raid in recent history.

In the wake of the raid, the American Immigration Council issued a statement addressing the implications of such actions. Michelle Lapointe, the legal director at the American Immigration Council, based in Atlanta, Georgia, expressed deep concerns about the impact of these raids on communities and families.

“These raids don’t make anyone safer. They terrorize workers, destabilize communities, and push families into chaos,” Lapointe stated. She emphasized that while the raid may generate dramatic headlines, it fails to address the underlying issues within the U.S. immigration system, such as the lack of legal pathways for workers and an inappropriate focus on punishing individuals who do not pose a threat to society. “Raiding worksites isn’t reform; it’s political theater at the expense of families, communities, and our economy,” she added.

Nan Wu, the director of research at the American Immigration Council, further elaborated on the economic implications of such raids. “Immigrant workers are the backbone of our economy, filling critical labor gaps in manufacturing and beyond,” she noted. According to Wu, undocumented workers constitute 5.7% of the national manufacturing workforce, while in Georgia, they represent 6.7% of that sector. She argued that targeting worksites instead of creating pathways to legal employment is not only cruel but also shortsighted. “The chilling effect of these raids will make it less likely that people will show up to work, deepening labor shortages and hitting businesses hard at an already precarious economic moment,” Wu explained.

The American Immigration Council has made experts available to discuss the counterproductive nature of worksite raids and to propose more effective immigration solutions. The organization advocates for reforms that would create a more humane and functional immigration system, rather than relying on punitive measures that disrupt lives and communities.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges within the U.S. immigration system and the need for comprehensive reform that prioritizes the well-being of workers and the economy.

Source: Original article

A recent report reveals that the Trump administration’s immigration policies threaten the foundations of American democracy, marking a significant overhaul in the first six months of his second term.

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 23, 2025 — A special report released today provides an in-depth analysis of the Trump administration’s first six months back in office, revealing a dramatic transformation of the U.S. immigration system that undermines the very principles of American democracy. While some voters may have supported a “tougher” stance on immigration during the election, the report indicates that the administration’s extreme measures extend far beyond mere policy changes; they pose a direct threat to the rule of law.

Titled Mass Deportation: Analyzing the Trump Administration’s Attacks on Immigrants, Democracy, and America, the report was published by the American Immigration Council on July 23. It outlines how the administration has launched a radical, multi-faceted assault on immigrants and the immigration framework.

The report details several actions taken by the Trump administration, including restricting entry into the United States, stripping legal protections from those already residing in the country, and escalating enforcement to unprecedented levels. These measures have dismantled long-standing legal safeguards, defied the authority of Congress and the courts, and weaponized government resources against immigrants and dissenters alike.

“This isn’t just a hardline immigration agenda,” said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council and co-author of the report. “It’s a wholesale effort to use immigrants and the U.S. immigration system to attack core tenets of our democracy and exercise unchecked executive power to realign the American government around exclusion and fear.”

Key findings from the report highlight several alarming trends:

The end of asylum: The report states that asylum at the southern border is effectively non-existent. The administration has shut down the CBP One application without providing an alternative. Asylum-seekers approaching a port of entry are often turned away, and some are detained indefinitely, even after winning their cases.

Demolishing the refugee program: The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program has been indefinitely suspended, with the exception of white South Africans who have been fast-tracked under questionable persecution claims. This has left tens of thousands of approved refugees stranded abroad.

Mass revocation of legal status: Over one million individuals have had their humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) revoked in just six months, stripping them of work permits and pushing many into undocumented status.

Weaponizing bureaucracy: The report notes that legal immigration pathways are being obstructed by significant fee increases, processing freezes, and opaque barriers, making it nearly impossible for lawful applicants to obtain or maintain their status.

A maelstrom of fear and chaos: The aggressive enforcement tactics employed by the Trump administration have instilled a constant sense of fear among immigrants of all legal statuses. Individuals can be targeted for arrest, detention, and deportation anywhere, including at churches, schools, and courthouses.

A radical reorganization of law enforcement resources: The administration is establishing an unprecedented, cross-agency immigration operation that utilizes manpower from various federal and state law enforcement agencies and the U.S. military, prioritizing immigration enforcement above all other public safety objectives.

Turbocharging an inhumane detention system: The “Big Beautiful Bill Act,” enacted in July, increases the budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention by 308 percent annually. This funding boost sets the stage for a radical expansion of a detention system already criticized for its careless and cruel management, which has placed tens of thousands of immigrants in life-threatening conditions.

The report includes powerful firsthand accounts from individuals affected by these policies. Ilia, a nonbinary Russian dissident, won their asylum case in court but remained in detention for over a year without a release date. Axel, a DACA recipient and youth leader, has chosen to abandon his job to return to school amid uncertainty regarding his legal status. Beatriz, an immigrant lawyer advocating for noncitizen children, has encountered cases that resonate with her own journey to the U.S., including a confused six-year-old who appeared in court without representation. Kaelyn is incurring debt to prevent her partner from being deported to El Salvador’s megaprison under the Alien Enemies Act.

The report warns that while some policies may shift in response to legal challenges, the administration’s broader agenda remains clear: to permanently redefine who belongs in America and how power is exercised by the federal government.

“The administration’s policies are reshaping the immigration system in ways that are unfair, unlawful, and out of step with core American values,” said Dara Lind, senior fellow at the Council and co-author of the report. “We’re witnessing real harm to families, communities, and the rule of law, and the public deserves to understand what’s at stake.”

The full report is available for review, and interviews with experts and individuals impacted by these policies can also be arranged.

Source: Original article

Indian professionals express concern as President Trump imposes a $100,000 annual fee on H-1B visa applications, prompting the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., to establish an emergency helpline.

In a move that has raised alarm among Indian professionals, President Donald Trump recently signed a proclamation imposing an annual fee of $100,000 on H-1B visa applications. This decision has significant implications for the many Indian nationals who rely on this visa category for employment in the United States.

In response to the growing concerns, the Indian Embassy in Washington, D.C., has released an emergency assistance number for Indian nationals who may need immediate support. The Embassy stated, “Indian nationals seeking emergency assistance may call cell number +1-202-550-9931 (and WhatsApp). This number should be used only by Indian nationals seeking immediate emergency assistance and not for routine consular queries.”

The introduction of this steep fee has sparked serious concerns regarding its potential impact on Indian tech professionals and the overall flow of remittances. Notably, approximately 71 percent of all H-1B visas are granted to Indian citizens, making this development particularly significant for the Indian community.

To alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding the new fee, a senior official from the U.S. administration clarified that the $100,000 charge would apply only to new H-1B visa petitions. Existing visa holders and those seeking renewals will not be affected by this fee.

Following the announcement, the White House emphasized on September 20 that the fee is a “one-time fee” applicable solely to new visa applications, aiming to provide clarity amidst the confusion.

In light of the changes, the Indian government has instructed all its Missions and Posts to extend every possible assistance to Indian nationals who are scheduled to return to the United States within the next 24 hours. The Ministry of External Affairs is actively monitoring the situation and is carefully examining the implications of the newly imposed annual fee on the H-1B visa program.

This development has prompted a wave of reactions from various stakeholders, as many are concerned about the future of the H-1B visa program and its impact on the Indian workforce in the U.S. The Indian Embassy’s establishment of a helpline reflects the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate support for affected individuals.

As the situation continues to evolve, Indian nationals are encouraged to stay informed and reach out for assistance if needed. The implications of this new fee could reshape the landscape for H-1B visa applicants, particularly those from India, in the coming months.

Source: Original article

California Democrats condemned a Supreme Court ruling that allows Trump administration immigration raids in Los Angeles, labeling it “un-American” and a potential source of “racial terror.”

California Democrats have expressed strong opposition to a recent Supreme Court ruling that permits the Trump administration to continue its immigration raids in Los Angeles. They characterized the decision as “un-American” and warned that it could lead to a “parade of racial terror.”

Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal critic of President Donald Trump, took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his disapproval. He stated, “Trump’s hand-picked SCOTUS majority just became the Grand Marshal for a parade of racial terror in LA. His administration is targeting Latinos — and anyone who doesn’t look or sound like his idea of an American — to deliberately harm our families and economy.”

The Supreme Court’s ruling, which passed with a 6-3 vote, allows the Trump administration to resume immigration raids in California, overturning a lower court’s decision that had previously halted such actions. This case was escalated to the Supreme Court after a federal judge ruled in July that the raids were likely unconstitutional, as they involved detaining individuals based on “apparent race or ethnicity” or their ability to speak Spanish. Immigration advocates have long accused the federal government of targeting Latinos based on these criteria.

In addition to Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Senator Adam Schiff also criticized the Supreme Court’s decision. They described the immigration raids as “blatantly illegal.” Schiff remarked, “This Administration rounded up and arrested California residents, including U.S. citizens and legal residents, based on the color of their skin or the language they speak. This is blatantly illegal, yet the Supreme Court is allowing it to happen while the case proceeds.” Schiff has a history of contentious interactions with Trump, which include disputes over the January 6 investigation and Trump’s impeachment trials.

Mayor Bass echoed these sentiments, stating, “I want the entire nation to hear me when I say this isn’t just an attack on the people of LA; this is an attack on every person in every city in this country. Today’s ruling is not only dangerous – it’s un-American and threatens the fabric of personal freedom in the U.S.” She emphasized her commitment to fighting for the rights and dignity of Angelenos, despite the administration’s efforts to undermine them.

The Supreme Court’s majority did not provide an explanation for their ruling. However, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, argued that race could be a relevant factor in determining reasonable suspicion for immigration stops. He stated, “To be clear, apparent ethnicity alone cannot furnish reasonable suspicion; under this Court’s case law regarding immigration stops, however, it can be a ‘relevant factor’ when considered along with other salient factors.”

Justice Sonia Sotomayor dissented, expressing concern over the emergency order that approved such raids. She stated, “We should not have to live in a country where the Government can seize anyone who looks Latino, speaks Spanish, and appears to work a low wage job.”

The Trump administration welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision, with Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin declaring it a “win for the safety of Californians and the rule of law.” She added, “DHS law enforcement will not be slowed down and will continue to arrest and remove the murderers, rapists, gang members, and other criminal illegal aliens.”

This ruling follows the Trump administration’s directive for immigration officials to carry out raids in Los Angeles, a city that has identified itself as a “sanctuary” for undocumented immigrants. Protests and riots erupted in response to the crackdown, with local leaders like Newsom and Bass condemning the administration’s actions and offering support to undocumented individuals.

As the situation develops, the implications of the Supreme Court’s ruling remain a focal point of contention among California Democrats and immigration advocates, who fear that the decision could exacerbate racial profiling and discrimination in immigration enforcement.

Source: Original article

On September 4, a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia resulted in the detention of at least 475 workers, highlighting the chaos stemming from the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

On September 4, law enforcement agents from various state and federal agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a sweeping immigration raid at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in southeastern Georgia. This operation reportedly led to the detention of at least 475 workers, many of whom were South Korean nationals, including some individuals with legal status. This event marks the largest worksite raid in recent history.

In the aftermath of the raid, the American Immigration Council issued a statement addressing the implications of such actions. Michelle Lapointe, the legal director at the American Immigration Council, who is based in the Atlanta area, emphasized the negative impact of these raids on communities and families.

“These raids don’t make anyone safer. They terrorize workers, destabilize communities, and push families into chaos,” Lapointe stated. “This historic raid may make dramatic headlines, but it does nothing to fix the problems in our broken immigration system: a lack of legal pathways and a misguided focus on punishing workers and families who pose no threat to our communities. Raiding worksites isn’t reform; it’s political theater at the expense of families, communities, and our economy.”

Nan Wu, the director of research at the American Immigration Council, also spoke about the broader implications of such raids. “Immigrant workers are the backbone of our economy, filling critical labor gaps in manufacturing and beyond. Nationwide, 5.7% of manufacturing workers are undocumented, and here in Georgia, they make up 6.7% of that workforce,” Wu noted. “Raiding worksites instead of fixing our pathways to legal employment is cruel, wasteful, and deeply shortsighted. The chilling effect of these raids will make it less likely that people will show up to work, deepening labor shortages and hitting businesses hard at an already precarious economic moment.”

Experts from the American Immigration Council are available to discuss why worksite raids are counterproductive and harmful, as well as to propose smarter, more effective immigration solutions.

Source: Original article

The U.S. Senate has approved a budget reconciliation bill that allocates unprecedented funding for immigration enforcement, while simultaneously jeopardizing healthcare access for millions of Americans.

Washington, D.C., July 1, 2025 — On July 1, the U.S. Senate passed a budget reconciliation bill that includes an unprecedented allocation of funds for immigration detention and enforcement. This decision comes at a time when millions of Americans face the loss of their healthcare coverage.

The bill was passed with a tie-breaking vote from Vice President JD Vance, earmarking approximately $170 billion for immigration and border enforcement-related provisions. This funding represents a significant increase in the federal budget for immigration enforcement.

Among the key allocations in the bill are $45 billion designated for the construction of new immigration detention centers, including facilities for families. This funding marks a staggering 265 percent increase in the annual budget for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is 62 percent larger than the entire federal prison system budget. The new funding could result in the daily detention of at least 116,000 non-citizens.

Additionally, the bill allocates $29.9 billion for ICE’s enforcement and deportation operations, effectively tripling the agency’s annual budget. This increase in funding for enforcement comes at a time when between 12 million and 17 million people are at risk of losing their healthcare coverage.

The legislation also caps the number of immigration judges at 800, despite the ongoing record backlogs in the immigration court system. Furthermore, it includes $46.6 billion for border wall construction, which is more than three times the amount spent by the Trump administration during its first term. Critics argue that the wall has failed to contribute meaningfully to border management strategies.

Another notable provision is a new $10 billion fund intended to reimburse the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for costs associated with “safeguarding” U.S. borders against illegal entry. This funding constitutes nearly 50 percent of the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) budget for fiscal year 2024. However, unlike standard budget allocations, this fund lacks strict guidelines, potentially allowing CBP to utilize the funds with minimal oversight.

Overall, this legislation marks the largest investment in detention and deportation in U.S. history. Critics contend that this policy choice does not address the systemic failures of the immigration system and instead exacerbates issues, causing harm and chaos while tearing families apart.

“This bill will deprive 12 to 17 million Americans of basic healthcare while investing unprecedented levels of funding in the president’s increasingly unpopular mass deportation agenda,” said Nayna Gupta, policy director at the American Immigration Council. “At a time when polls show more Americans rejecting mass detention and deportation, this bill ignores what Americans want and doubles down on punitive policies that do nothing to address the real problems in our immigration system, including court backlogs, a lack of legal pathways to citizenship, and a broken U.S. asylum system.”

The enforcement-heavy provisions of the bill come at the expense of necessary investments in asylum processing, legal representation, community-based alternatives to detention, and support for local governments and nonprofits that assist new arrivals.

“Throwing billions at detention centers and enforcement agents is short-sighted. Instead, we should be investing in a system aimed at welcoming immigrants who contribute billions to our economy,” stated Adriel Orozco, senior policy counsel at the American Immigration Council. “We don’t need more jail beds and indiscriminate raids. We need balanced solutions that strengthen due process and keep families together.”

The bill will now return to the House of Representatives, where members are expected to vote on final passage later this week. Experts from the American Immigration Council are available to provide further insights into the specifics of the bill, including its implications for immigration courts, border funding, unaccompanied children, and the increase in ICE agents.

Source: Original article

Beatriz, a Venezuelan-American lawyer, advocates for unaccompanied minors facing immigration proceedings, navigating challenges posed by recent federal policies that threaten their legal representation.

In February 2025, Beatriz, a Venezuelan-American lawyer, received an unexpected order from the Interior Department directing her nonprofit organization to cease all operations. This directive significantly impacted her work representing unaccompanied minors—children navigating immigration proceedings without their parents.

These vulnerable youngsters often find themselves in precarious situations, living with relatives, placed in foster care, or held in detention centers. Many are as young as Beatriz was when she immigrated to the United States at the age of eight, fleeing violence and political persecution in Venezuela with her family.

Having witnessed her parents struggle through numerous meetings with immigration lawyers, Beatriz pursued a legal career to leverage her experiences in helping others. “I know how terrifying it is to be a child, alone and unable to speak English, trying to deal with authority figures,” she reflects. “That’s why I became a lawyer, to bring some empathy to that process.” Today, Beatriz is a proud U.S. citizen.

The sudden stop-work order disrupted her mission. “It came completely out of the blue—suddenly, everything changed,” Beatriz recalls. The cancellation of federal contracts forced organizations like hers to downsize, leaving those who remained to manage an overwhelming workload. “For those of us left, it was all hands on deck,” she adds.

Although the stop-work order was later lifted, legal disputes over the canceled contracts continue. The immediate fallout, however, has been severe. “In practical terms, it left children without anybody to advocate for them,” Beatriz explains. While barred from providing direct assistance, she and her colleagues attended immigration hearings to observe and take notes. In one particularly heart-wrenching case, Beatriz witnessed a confused six-year-old appear in court without any legal representation. “These young children are being brought to immigration hearings—speaking no English, and without a lawyer—to try to explain why they shouldn’t be deported,” she laments.

Compounding the challenges, immigration courts have increasingly adopted “rocket dockets,” scheduling multiple hearings in a single day. “They started fast-tracking kids through the system at a time when we weren’t able to accompany them,” Beatriz notes. “It’s just been an onslaught of attacks, specifically targeting unaccompanied children.”

Beatriz has also observed the chaos in children’s lives caused by the detention of their caregivers by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Some of her young clients have been placed in detention or the foster care system, while in other instances, the government has withheld information about the whereabouts of caregivers. “It’s something none of my superiors—including people who worked during Trump’s first term—have ever experienced before,” she states.

The impact of these policies is evident in the anxiety experienced by the children Beatriz serves. Many are now afraid to attend school or even leave their homes. “So much of my job is now simply dealing with anxious kids,” she explains. “Pretty much every one of these children has a deep sense that the U.S. is no longer a safe place for them.”

This pervasive fear extends beyond the children to Beatriz’s entire community. Even before the Trump administration canceled Temporary Protected Status for approximately 350,000 Venezuelans, her WhatsApp groups were filled with messages from individuals whose loved ones had vanished from their neighborhoods. “I have friends who are scared to step onto the street,” she shares. “The demonization of my culture and my community is really hurtful, and really harmful.”

As discussions about denaturalizing or deporting U.S. citizens to foreign prisons and eliminating due process for migrants circulate, Beatriz worries for the safety of her own family, all of whom are now American citizens. “We worked hard to get citizenship, but there’s a real fear that even that won’t protect us,” she says. “For Venezuelans, the feelings of insecurity are always present. It really weighs heavily on us.”

Source: Original article

A new report highlights the significant economic and humanitarian impacts of the Trump administration’s expanded travel ban, which affects immigration from 19 countries.

WASHINGTON, DC, August 6 — A recent report from the American Immigration Council outlines the extensive economic and humanitarian consequences of the Trump administration’s travel ban, enacted in June 2025. This ban restricts immigration from 19 countries and poses a risk of losing $715 million in taxes and $2.5 billion in spending power.

In 2022, nearly 300,000 individuals from the affected countries entered the United States, contributing to critical sectors of the economy and generating substantial tax revenue. “Those affected by this travel ban are students, workers, and family members who pay taxes, support local economies, and fill jobs in industries facing massive shortages. We’re throwing all of that away, to the detriment of our communities and the U.S. economy,” said Nan Wu, research director of the American Immigration Council.

According to 2023 data, of the 300,000 individuals impacted by the travel ban, 82 percent were employed, particularly in industries already grappling with labor shortages, such as hospitality, construction, and manufacturing. The manufacturing sector alone is projected to face a shortage of 1.9 million workers by 2033.

“The United States absolutely needs strong screening procedures to protect national security, but this travel ban isn’t how you do that,” stated Jeremy Robbins, executive director of the American Immigration Council. “The Trump administration is trying to sell this policy as a security measure, but when you dig into the justifications, they don’t add up. Many of the targeted countries had fewer than 500 visa overstays last year. This isn’t about keeping America safe; it’s about keeping certain people out.”

While the 2017 travel ban sparked immediate and widespread public protests, the report notes that the 2025 version has encountered a more subdued response. This muted reaction is largely attributed to the ban’s gradual implementation and the introduction of expanded exemptions. However, the report emphasizes that the resulting damage remains severe.

“This quieter version of the ban is deeply harmful,” Robbins added. “It separates families, blocks international talent, and hurts communities across the country. The absence of airport protests doesn’t mean the harm isn’t real; it’s just happening more quietly and more bureaucratically.”

There are indications that the administration may consider adding an additional 36 countries to the travel ban. Should this occur, tens of thousands more individuals from those nations could be barred from entering the United States, exacerbating the economic, social, and diplomatic repercussions.

The countries currently affected by the travel ban include:

All travel banned:

Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Visas sharply restricted:

Venezuela, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan.

This report underscores the far-reaching implications of the travel ban, not only for those directly affected but also for the broader U.S. economy and society.

Source: Original article