Trump's Travel Ban: Perpetuating Discrimination Against African Nations
Image: AFP
Dr. Sizo Nkala
United States President Donald Trump proclaimed on June 4 that he was fully suspending the entry into the US of the citizens of 12 countries namely Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
A partial suspension was imposed on citizens of another group of 7 countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. This means that out of the 19 countries subject to full or partial suspension, 10 are in Africa.
This proclamation was issued based on Executive Order 14162 published on January 30 which directed the US Secretaries of State and Homeland Security, the Attorney General and the Director of National Intelligence to identify countries around the world whose vetting and information-screening standards are poor to warrant a partial or full suspension on the admission of their nationals to the US.
The official rationale for this as stated in the proclamation is to enable the US to protect its 'citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security or public-safety threats.' Trump reiterated these sentiments while introducing the proclamation saying that his administration 'will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm, and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe."
The new travel ban is a rehash of the bans imposed by the first Trump administration between 2017 and 2020. Of the 14 countries that were slapped with bans at that time, 7, namely Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Chad, Somalia, Eritrea and Libya were in Africa. As such, Africa and the Middle East have always dominated the list of Trump's travel bans.
The criteria used for placing countries on the banned list include lax vetting and information-screening standards, the prevalence of terrorism, and the rate of visa overstays among other things. The new proclamation has ordered the US Immigration Department to reject all visa applications from the concerned countries including those that were submitted before the ban was effected.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
There are some double standards because some countries like countries like France, Spain, and the United Kingdom individually have more visa overstays than Libya, Chad, Somalia, Sudan, and Eritrea combined.
The African Union (AU) released a statement in response to the travel bans urging the Trump administration to make decisions in a 'manner that is balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa.'
The statement further encouraged the US government to 'consider adopting a more consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.'The travel ban, which disproportionately affects African countries, is a continuation of the Trump administration's negative posture towards Africa.
In the last six months, the Trump administration has liquidated the US Agency for International Development (USAID) which was distributing considerable amounts of aid in Africa and helping mitigate poverty. It has also indicated that it will withdraw its funding from Africa's premier multilateral development bank – the African Development Bank (AfDB).
This will undermine the bank's efforts to fight poverty and underdevelopment in the continent. Moreover, Trump has also abolished the Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) which gave millions of African citizens infected by HIV access to critical medication. It is widely expected that Trump will not renew the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) when it expires in September.
Since 2000, eligible African countries have been able to access the lucrative US export market duty-free. In this context, the travel ban is not surprising. It is a xenophobic and racist policy that unfairly shifts the blame for the US' security problems to foreigners from poor countries.
Trump's campaign for office was partly based on the demonisation of immigrants as criminals and a threat to the US. It perpetuates a negative stereotype of African countries as failed states that are a threat to the United States without any concrete evidence.
This is linked to his outlandish claims of a white genocide in South Africa which he has peddled without any shred of evidence. Such a characterization of Africa from the world's most powerful office greatly undermines the work that is being done to promote the continent as a safe investment destination.
During his first term, Trump grotesquely described African countries as 'shithole' countries. His treatment of Africa shows that he has not changed his mind. He treats Africa with obvious disdain. It is important that Africa develops a common position and becomes more assertive towards the Trump administration. He may have targeted a few countries in the continent but the impact of his statements will be felt beyond those countries.
* Dr. Sizo Nkala is a Research Fellow at the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Africa-China Studies.
** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL, Independent Media or The African.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
an hour ago
- TimesLIVE
Trump settlement triggers 'widespread distress' at CBS News
Paramount Global's settlement of the 60 Minutes lawsuit filed by US President Donald Trump provoked condemnation on Wednesday from CBS News current and former employees, press freedom advocates and legislators. Paramount's agreement to pay $16m (R280m) to resolve a civil suit over what Trump alleged was the network's deceptive editing of an interview with presidential candidate Kamala Harris sets a dangerous precedent that threatens the free press, journalism advocates warned. One 60 Minutes employee who spoke with Reuters said that during a call on Wednesday, newsroom staff expressed 'widespread distress' about the settlement and concerns about the future of the CBS News prime time news magazine and its hard-hitting brand of journalism. The staffer, who requested anonymity to speak publicly about his employer, said while CBS News avoided the worst outcome in its settlement with Trump — an apology — the agreement nonetheless sets a 'horrible precedent' in agreeing to make public transcripts of future interviews with presidential candidates. The settlement follows ABC News's decision in December to pay $15m (R262.7m) to settle a defamation lawsuit over anchor George Stephanopoulos's on-air description of the president's conduct in the E. Jean Carroll case. 'With two major network owners bowing to the president in quick succession, the danger is clear: emboldened politicians and powerful actors will feel more free than ever to weaponise lawsuits and bring regulatory pressure to bear to silence and censor independent journalism,' said Tim Richardson, journalism and disinformation programme director at free-speech advocate PEN America. On Wednesday, US Senator Elizabeth Warren called for an investigation into the settlement, which will be paid to a fund supporting Trump's future presidential library, and said she will soon introduce legislation to 'rein in corruption through presidential library donations'.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Newspaper headlines from around the world - Thursday, 3 July 2025
Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Thursday, 3 July 2025. The New York Times front page reported that the bill will test the strength of Trump's grip on his party. The Wall Street Journal front page reported that Republican infighting is delaying the bill. The Jerusalem Post's front page reported that the IDF's 504th Intelligence Unit busted an Iranian terror cell in Syria. China Daily's front page reported that consumption is set to continue its robust growth. The Daily Mail's front page reported on what or who caused the tears that sparked turmoil in the markets. The Guardian's front page reported tears and turmoil as the PM was forced to defend Reeves following the welfare fiasco. If you wish to stay up-to-date – for FREE – on the latest international and South African news, then bookmark The South African website for all that plus the latest in the world of finance, sport, lifestyle – and more. Did we mention it was 100% free to read …?
Eyewitness News
3 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Trump tax bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress
WASHINGTON - Donald Trump's signature tax and spending bill was in limbo early Thursday as Republican leaders in the US Congress scrambled to win over a group of rebels threatening to torpedo the centerpiece of the president's domestic agenda. Trump is seeking final approval in the House of Representatives for his Senate-passed "One Big Beautiful Bill" -- but faces opposition on all sides of his fractious party over provisions set to balloon the national debt while launching a historic assault on the social safety net. As midnight (0400 GMT) struck, House Speaker Mike Johnson was still holding open a key procedural vote -- the bill's last hurdle before it can advance to be considered for final approval -- more than two hours after it was first called. With no clear sign of the stalemate breaking, his lieutenants huddled in tense meetings behind the scenes with the rebels who had either voted no or had yet to come to the House floor. "We're going to get there tonight. We're working on it and very, very positive about our progress," Johnson told reporters at the Capitol, according to Politico. Originally approved by the House in May, Trump's sprawling legislation squeezed through the Senate on Tuesday by a solitary vote but had to return to the lower chamber Wednesday for a rubber stamp of the Senate's revisions. The package honors many of Trump's campaign promises, boosting military spending, funding a mass migrant deportation drive and committing $4.5 trillion to extend his first-term tax relief. But it is expected to pile an extra $3.4 trillion over a decade onto the country's fast-growing deficits, while forcing through the largest cuts to the Medicaid health insurance program since its 1960s launch. While moderates in the House are anxious that the cuts will damage their prospects of reelection, fiscal hawks are chafing over savings that they say fall short of what they were promised by hundreds of billions of dollars. Johnson has to negotiate incredibly tight margins, and can likely only lose three lawmakers among more than two dozen who have declared themselves open to rejecting Trump's bill. 'ABOMINATION' Republican leaders had been hoping to spend just a few hours on Wednesday afternoon green-lighting the package, although they have a cushion of two days before Trump's self-imposed July 4 deadline. The 887-page text only passed in the Senate after a flurry of tweaks that pulled the House-passed text further to the right. Republicans lost one conservative who was angry about adding to the country's $37 trillion debt burden and two moderates worried about almost $1 trillion in health care cuts. Some estimates put the total number of recipients set to lose their health insurance at 17 million, while scores of rural hospitals are expected to close. Legislation in the House has to go through multiple "test" votes before it can come up for final approval, and a majority must wave it through at each of these stages. There were warning signs early in the day as the package stumbled at one of the first steps, with a straightforward vote that ought to have taken minutes remaining open for seven hours and 31 minutes -- making it the longest House vote in history. Johnson had made clear that he was banking on Trump leaning on waverers, as he has in the past to turn around contentious House votes that were headed for failure. The president has spent weeks cajoling Republicans torn between angering welfare recipients at home and incurring his wrath. Trump pressured House Republicans to get the bill over the line in a private White House meeting with several holdouts on Wednesday. "What are the Republicans waiting for?," he posted on his Truth Social platform just after midnight. "What are you trying to prove??? MAGA IS NOT HAPPY, AND IT'S COSTING YOU VOTES!!!" House Democrats have signaled that they plan to campaign on the bill to flip the chamber in the 2026 midterm elections, pointing to analyses showing that it represents a historic redistribution of wealth from the poorest Americans to the richest. "Shame on Senate Republicans for passing this disgusting abomination," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters.
