Trump’s visa review not ‘Pakistan specific’: US diplomat

LONDON: As the Donald Trump administration is weighing a significant expansion of travel restrictions that would impact citizens from dozens of countries, including Pakistan, a senior US State Department official has said any measures the new administration takes will not be Pakistan-specific but applicable to all countries of the world.

Margaret MacLeod, who is stationed at the US Embassy in London, told Geo News in an interview that President Trump appreciated Pakistan in his State of the Union address and spoke of the need for cooperation from all countries for greater cooperation to protect the US.

She said several unverified news had gone into public about the ban etc. but the fact was that so far only a review was taking place. “President Trump has signed a presidential order which means that the US foreign office will review all kinds of visas for all countries. This is to protect the US from external threats and to protect the US national interests. All our visa programmes are subject to this review. We are changing and upgrading the exchange of information and intelligence with all countries.”

She said the objective of the review was full legal compliance, and exchange of information as per the presidential order. Margaret MacLeod said: “President Trump appreciated Pakistan in his State of the Union address after a wanted man was extradited to the US. We want to promote exchange of information with all countries from all over the world.”

Pakistani Americans, she added, like all other US citizens, were talented and playing a huge role in the US life. She urged those wishing to enter the US to abide by the laws. The diplomat said the US Homeland Security head had recently underscored thatthe rule of law comes first and the US offers all kinds of opportunities for those who follow the laws and if you break the law then there would be no opportunities for you. “Don’t lie in your visa applications. Don’t try illegal means. Be honest.”

The memo or the order identifies 41 countries, proposing a full visa suspension for a first group of nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba, and North Korea.

In the second group, five countries would face partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas, with some exceptions. In the third group, a total of 26 countries including Belarus, Pakistan and Turkmenistan would be considered for a partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments “do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days”, the memo said. If approved, the policy could lead to full or partial visa suspensions, marking a significant escalation in immigration restrictions.