Trump Announces Visa Sanctions On Nations Refusing To Accept Their Citizens

Donald Trump on Friday announced a new visa sanction norm, providing for visa denial to citizens of countries that either deny or dilly dally in repatriating their citizens during the pandemic.

Trump issued the memorandum for visa sanctions and this would be effective immediately and valid till December 31, this year.

“Countries that deny or unreasonably delay the acceptance of their citizens, subjects, nationals, or residents from America during the ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 create unacceptable public health risks for Americans,” Trump said in his memorandum.

Addressed to the Homeland Security Secretary and Secretary of State, Trump said the US must be able to effectuate the repatriation of foreign nationals who violate the laws of the US.

The secretary of Homeland Security who would identify the countries that do not accept America’s request for repatriation of their citizens if that is impeding their operations to the ongoing pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 in this regard would initiate the process.

After that, the secretary of Homeland Security would notify the Secretary of State. Within 7 days of receiving such a notification, the Secretary of State would impose visa restrictions on such a country, Trump said in his memorandum.

Visa sanctions would be lifted as soon as the Secretary of Homeland Security notifies the Secretary of State that a foreign country has resumed accepting aliens without unreasonable delay who are its citizens, nationals, or residents when asked to accept those aliens.