Is the ‘American Dream’ turning into a nightmare? With the message of no more foreign dependence on American money, the Donald Trump administration has taken an unprecedented step.
America has indefinitely closed its doors to citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan. On Wednesday, the US State Department announced that no visas of any category will be issued to citizens of these countries for the time being.
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The ban will take effect from January 21. The list includes Myanmar, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Russia, Iran, Iraq, Brazil, along with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Reason behind the sudden decision
Explaining the move, the Trump administration stated that the US no longer wants people entering the country who become dependent on government support.
US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that people from these specific countries often rely on government subsidies or welfare benefits after arriving in America. According to him, this places an unsustainable burden on American taxpayers.
He added that the decision aims to prevent the entry of individuals who come to the US expecting government assistance for survival.
Review of screening and verification process
According to a Fox News report, the Trump administration is currently reviewing the screening and verification processes for citizens of these countries.
Until the review is completed and authorities are confident that applicants will not become a financial burden on the US government, visa issuance will remain suspended.
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The decision has caused distress among thousands of people who were planning to travel to the US for education or employment opportunities. For many, the indefinite nature of the ban has created uncertainty about their future plans.
One notable point is that India does not feature on the banned list, offering some relief to Indian visa applicants.
