US Visa Ban Implemented, LA Still Riotous

WASHINGTON DC, MONDAY – The travel ban for citizens from 12 countries and strict screening for citizens from seven countries to the United States takes effect on Monday (9/6/2025). The impact of this decision affects individuals from Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and parts of Southeast Asia.

The visa ban was issued by U.S. President Donald Trump last week for citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Yemen, Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan. Additionally, very strict screening is applied for individuals from Laos, Burundi, Cuba, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who wish to apply for a U.S. visa.

However, there are exceptions to the prohibitions and screenings. These exceptions apply to citizens from the 19 countries mentioned above who hold residency permits in the US (green card); dual citizens of the US or one of the 19 countries; and athletes, coaches, and officials from those 19 countries who are working in the US for sporting events.

In addition, exceptions also apply to Afghan citizens who assisted the US or its allies and already hold special visas; members of marginalized groups in Iran who are persecuted in their country; and citizens from those 19 countries who have worked for US government representatives for a minimum of 15 years along with their children.

Last week, Trump stated that the decision was made to safeguard the security and safety of the nation. He blamed immigrants from Egypt with expired visas as evidence that illegal immigrants pose a threat to the United States. That individual attacked a pro-Israel demonstration in the state of Colorado. Nevertheless, Egypt is not among the countries whose citizens are banned from entry.

Despite several exceptions, residents with migrant roots remain plagued by concerns. This is because agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) apprehend individuals who are deemed not to resemble American citizens in public places.

These people were then deported to countries they had never even been to before.

According to the New York Daily, the Little Haiti area in the city is deserted. Its residents, who are mostly descendants of the Haitian diaspora, choose to lie low. They do not want to do outdoor activities too often for fear of being arrested by ICE agents. As a result, various shops and businesses in the area have lost income due to the dead situation.

"This concern also impacts the welfare of the people in Haiti. Many residents in Haiti rely on remittances and goods from relatives who have become citizens of the United States to make ends meet," said Brooklyn Council Member Yvette Clarke.

Haiti is currently in a political and security crisis. As much as 85 percent of its capital, Port Au Prince, is controlled by armed gangs. They are vying for power and effectively rendering the government dysfunctional. Bloodshed due to gunfire and gang violence has become a daily occurrence.

Residents who cannot leave Haiti are forced to seek refuge outside of Port Au Prince. Due to the near-collapse of the country's economy, assistance from relatives who have already settled abroad, particularly in the United States, has become a crucial support for meeting their basic needs.

Now, fearing ICE raids, these Haitian-Americans are closing their businesses and losing income.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Sharafoddin's family is unlikely to be able to bring their nephew to the United States. Sharafoddin, along with his wife and son, migrated to the United States about a decade ago.

They walked for 36 hours across the mountains to leave Afghanistan, which is plagued by inter-ethnic conflict and the Taliban. They walked to Pakistan, Turkey, and finally managed to depart for the United States.

Now, Sharafoddin and his family have become residents of the State of South Carolina. His wife, Nuriya, can now drive a car and is busy picking up and dropping off their children from school. This freedom, according to him, is something that women in Afghanistan would not be able to attain.

Sharafoddin wishes to bring his niece to the United States. According to him, his niece is an intelligent girl. She deserves a proper education and the freedom to determine her own future. Now, under the rule of the Taliban, Afghan women are restricted in their education.

"We have not contacted our niece in Afghanistan regarding the situation in the US. We cannot bear to crush her dreams of studying here," said Nuriya.

The Taliban staged a coup against the elected government of Afghanistan in 2021. Exactly three days after U.S. forces left the country because Washington D.C. was unwilling to spend money to maintain security forces and combat terrorists in the nation.

Since then, Afghanistan has become the largest source of immigrants in the US. Many Afghans help the US government and military to fight terrorists and the Taliban. They fear for their safety with the rise of the Taliban to power. In the period of 2021-2024, 200,000 Afghan refugees entered “Uncle Sam’s Country”.

Jim Ray, an activist advocating for the rights of Afghan refugees, stated that the attitude of the United States towards Afghan citizens has drastically changed since their country was taken over by the Taliban. This has made it difficult for the Afghan diaspora in the United States to assist their relatives who are suffering from hunger and poverty in their homeland.

Even the Taliban criticized Trump's decision to ban visa issuance for Afghan citizens. "Citizens from 12 countries are prohibited from entering the US. Those countries have become oppressors," said Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada.

The implementation of Trump's decision sparked riots in Los Angeles, California. Trump deployed the National Guard, which was criticized by California Governor Gavin Newsom. Protesters blocked highways, and some even set cars on fire.

"The deployment of the National Guard only exacerbates the situation and escalates the conflict. Let the state government intervene," said Newsom, as quoted by ABC News.

Newsom, along with the LA Police, is attempting to cool down the situation. They have opted for a dialogue approach. This strategy contrasts with the National Guard, which has chosen to confront the protesters. Newsom urged the involved parties not to fall into "Trump's political game."

A similar sentiment was expressed by LA Mayor Karen Bass. She stated that the deployment of the National Guard only escalates the situation. There are no policies or plans within that deployment other than to create further chaos.

The Vice President of the United States for 2021-2025, Kamala Harris, also condemned Trump's actions. "This is a calculated and malicious agenda to spread panic and division in LA," she tweeted on X. (AP)