US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an order banning people from several countries, including Iran, from travelling to the United States. The ban, which will come into place on June 9, targets people from 12 countries, while those from seven other countries will face a partial ban.
The ban will fully restrict entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan; Myanmar, also known as Burma; Chad; Republic of the Congo; Equatorial Guinea; Eritrea; Haiti; Iran; Libya; Somalia; Sudan; and Yemen. People from seven countries will have partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
The proclamation from Trump about Iran stated that the country was a state sponsor of terrorism. "Iran regularly fails to cooperate with the United States Government in identifying security risks, is the source of significant terrorism around the world, and has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals. The entry into the United States of nationals of Iran as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby suspended," the statement by the White House said.
However, not all Iranians are banned from entering the US, much to the relief of many Iranians. Ethnic and religious minorities in Iran, including those escaping the country because they belong to a religious minority, like Christianity, are exempted. This only concerns Iranians.
Iranians who are legal permanent residents of the US, including those who own a Green Card, are exempted from the ban, even if the card is registered on their Iranian passport. Those from Iran, who hold dual citizenship, including a passport from another country and travel with that passport, will not be subject to this ban.
Athletes participating in international competitions, including the World Cup or Olympics as athletes or coaches, will be allowed to enter the country. First-degree family immigrant visa holders, including spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens who have obtained visas through legal procedures, are also exempted.
In general, those who have been admitted as refugees or were granted asylum are exempted under the order.
Another group which received special treatment is Afghans who seek to enter the U.S. under a special visa programme for those who helped the US government during the two decades of war after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks.
