Haiti and Cuba among countries affected by new US travel ban

• The White House on June 4 announced sweeping travel restrictions targeting nearly two dozen countries, including the Caribbean nations of Haiti and Cuba, under a new Proclamation signed by President Donald Trump aimed at combating terrorism and enhancing national security.
• Citing “common sense security standards,” the Trump administration said the move was necessary to limit the entry of foreign nationals who may pose threats to the United States. Haiti is one of 12 countries facing a full suspension of entry. According to a U.S. government assessment, Haiti’s B1/B2 visa overstay rate was 31.38%, and the overstay rate for student and exchange visas (F, M, and J categories) was 25.05%. The report cited the lack of a centralised, cooperative authority in Haiti, the absence of adequate law enforcement information, and a recent influx of undocumented Haitian nationals as contributing to national security and immigration enforcement concerns.
• Cuba, meanwhile, is among seven countries facing partial travel restrictions, specifically targeting immigrants and nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. The administration cited Cuba’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, lack of cooperation in law enforcement information-sharing, and a B1/B2 overstay rate of 7.69%, with a student/exchange visa overstay rate of 18.75%.
• The travel ban takes effect on Monday, June 9th, according to media reports.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)