Trump’s new travel restrictions affect eight nations

WASHINGTON — Citizens of eight countries will face new restrictions on entry to the U.S. under a proclamation signed Sunday by President Donald Trump.

The new rules, which will affect the citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen, will go into effect on Oct. 18.

The restrictions range from full travel bans on nationals from countries such as Syria to more targeted restrictions. A suspension of nonimmigrant visas to citizens for Venezuela applies only to senior government officials and their immediate families.

The announcement comes the same day as Trump’s temporary ban on visitors from six Muslim-majority countries is set to expire, 90 days after it went into effect. That ban had barred citizens of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen who lack a “credible claim of a bona fide relationship with a person or entity in the United States” from entering the United States.

“As President, I must act to protect the security and interests of the United States and its people,” the proclamation said.

Officials stressed that valid visas would not be revoked because of the proclamation. The order also permits, but does not guarantee, case-by-case waivers .

The restrictions are targeted at countries that Department of Homeland Security officials say refuse to share information with the United States or haven’t taken necessary security precautions.

Unlike Trump’s first travel ban, which caused problems at airports across the country and prompted legal challenges, officials said they had been working for months on the new rules with agencies and in conversation with foreign governments.