Trump's new entry ban: USA closes its doors to millions - human rights activists sound the alarm

Entry ban for twelve countries - and the next political uproar

Donald Trump has done it again. Just a few days after the announcement, his controversial entry ban for people from twelve countries has come into force. Since 0:01 US East Coast time on Monday, people from Afghanistan, Sudan, Iran, Libya and Somalia, among others, are no longer allowed to enter the USA. The measure is strongly reminiscent of the infamous "Muslim Ban" from Trump's first term in office - and has once again led to international incomprehension and massive criticism.

Seven other countries are also affected - tourist or student visas are no longer available here, nor is a permanent right of residence. For many, this means that whether studying, visiting family or planning to emigrate, access to the USA will be blocked indefinitely.

Who is still allowed in - and who isn't?

Despite the harshness of the decree, there are exceptions:

• Green card holder,
• Dual nationals with a passport not affected,
• close family members of US citizens,
• as well as diplomats, athletes and recognized refugees may continue to enter the country.
  Afghan local staff with special visas are also protected for the time being.

However, this is of little help to many of those affected: for countless people, the ban means that visa applications that have already been submitted are stopped - even if they were about to be approved. Once again, it particularly affects those who are already dependent on protection and prospects.

Human rights organizations: "Discriminatory and cruel"

The outcry is huge. Organizations such as Amnesty International criticize the entry ban as "racist, discriminatory and downright cruel". Particularly perfidious: many of the excluded countries are among the poorest or most conflict-ridden in the world. For refugees, students or family members, access to the so-called "free world" is once again blocked - on the basis of their origin, not their behavior.

The measure is also legally controversial: the "Muslim Ban" in 2017 had already led to massive protests, summary proceedings and confusion. At that time, the ban was only confirmed by the US Supreme Court in a third revised version. Now a similar scenario is looming - again without warning, again with serious consequences for those affected worldwide.

No security policy but symbolic policy

What is being sold as border protection is actually a relapse into thought patterns that were thought to have been overcome long ago: fear of foreigners, driven by populist calculations. The fact that diplomats, athletes and green card holders of all people are exempt shows that this is not about a real threat, but about political show effects.

From a legal perspective, it remains absurd: denying people access solely on the basis of their origin - even without specific accusations or a case-by-case assessment - contradicts any notion of equality, fairness and human dignity.

Rights do not become stronger if you take them away from others. And security is not created through exclusion, but through justice.