Turkmenistan Included in New U.S. Travel Restrictions and Bans

Citizens of Turkmenistan are subject to travel restrictions to the United States under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, which bans or limits entry for nationals from 19 countries.

Trump said in a statement released by the White House on Wednesday that the order, which takes effect on June 9, aims to protect national security and prevent people from overstaying their visas in the United States, The Caspian Post reports citing The Times of Central Asia.

The measure resembles an effort in Trump’s first term as president to tighten control of the influx of foreign nationals, prompting court challenges and criticism that such sweeping policies are discriminatory.

“Many of these countries have also taken advantage of the United States in their exploitation of our visa system and their historic failure to accept back their removable nationals,” said Trump, who has cracked down on immigration since his second term began in January.

A full travel ban, subject to case-by-case waivers and other exceptions, will go into effect for nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Turkmenistan is among seven countries whose citizens face partial restrictions, such as not being able to move permanently to the U.S. or get tourist and student visas. The other countries are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo and Venezuela.

“According to the Overstay Report, Turkmenistan had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.74 percent,” the Trump administration’s order said. “The entry into the United States of nationals of Turkmenistan as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.”

B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) refer to non-immigrant visas for people who want to stay temporarily in the U.S. F, M, and J visas are for non-immigrant visas used by students and other visitors enrolled in exchange programs.

Turkmenistan tightly controls its population and it is difficult to get independent information about the country. Despite Turkmenistan’s vast energy resources, many of its nationals attempt to seek opportunities abroad.