United States President Donald Trump's new travel ban on citizens of 12 countries has come into effect today, AFP reported, noting that those impacted especially include refugees and immigrants.

On the list of countries in the divisive travel ban include Afghanistan, Iran, Haiti, and Libya — either those facing severe crisis or with “adversarial relations” against the US, the report added.

What is Donald Trump's reason for the travel ban?

Donald Trump announced the move last week, after a crowd of Jewish protestors in Colorado were attacked by a man that the White House claims had overstayed his visa.

According to the US president, the attack “underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted” or who overstay their visas.

Donald Trump added that Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and war-torn Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen lacked “competent” central authorities for processing passports and vetting. Further, Iran was included because it is a “state sponsor of terrorism”.

For the other countries, the order cited an above-average likelihood that people would overstay their visas.

What is the scope of Donald Trump's travel ban?

According to the White House, the move fully bars entry into the US for citizens of the following 12 countries — Afghanistan, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

It also imposes a partial ban on travelers from — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. An exception will be made for some temporary work visas for these citizens. Donald Trump in his announcement had warned that new countries could be added, “as threats emerge around the world”.

Source: Mint.