Trump says the ban is about "security." But if that's the case, why is he restricting many African countries from traveling to the US while sparing other countries with bigger problems?
00:00This week, those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas, we don't want them.
00:08Several African nations found themselves locked out of the United States again.
00:13The Trump administration says it's about national security and visa overstays, but the logic is kind of shaky.
00:20Welcome to the flip side. Here's who is affected.
00:22Chad, the Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Somalia, Equatorial Guinea, Sudan and Libya, all banned.
00:31Sierra Leone and Togo are partially banned.
00:33This means that obtaining a U.S. visa will be extremely difficult.
00:37No, it is not logic. It is racist because the question we should ask ourselves, why CLU? Why us in Africa?
00:44Looking at the economic change and looking at the things that are going on, if you want to do a travel ban as a president, of course, you have to do it.
00:50You look at the problems and cons. Do you think we are more than the Nigerians, the Guineans, the other countries? No.
00:57I think it's racist. It's based on racism because comparing the amount of visas being given to Sierra Leoneans to the U.S., it's very, very small.
01:07To say it's a logic and to say it's racist is too direct, it's too damning.
01:11However, I think it could have been reviewed and done effectively.
01:16It's very logical based on his agenda that, you know, he should start thinking about America and he should start doing things that he's doing.
01:26So it's weird. For most of us, for some of people, it's weird, but I think it's very logical.
01:31According to Trump's team, these countries fail to meet U.S. security and vetting standards.
01:36Some are accused of posing a very high risk. But is that really what's going on?
01:42Take this for example. Trump cited a recent Colorado attack by an Egyptian man as part of the reasoning behind his latest travel ban.
01:49But guess what? Egypt did not make the list.
01:52Whether it's Egypt or it's Sudan or it's Haiti, whichever country is targeted, if you look at the summary or list of countries, you will see that these countries constitute largely people in those countries are likely black, brown or Muslim majority populations.
02:13So by targeting people based on their race, on their religion or nationality, from countries with predominantly black, brown and Muslim majorities, this blanket ban constitutes racial discrimination and international human rights law.
02:27These overstays were another reason. In 2023, Chad had just 377 overstays.
02:34In contrast, Spain had over 20,000 overstays, according to figures from the U.S. Homeland Security.
02:40You heard right, 20,000. Why is Chad on the list and not Spain? Only Trump knows.
02:47But the double standards are hard to ignore.
02:49Trump is penalizing African countries for minimal infractions, whilst pairing others with higher overstay numbers or terrorism-related incidents.
02:58This proclamation, in our view, constitutes racial discrimination under international human rights law, in particular if you look at the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
03:08Article 1.3. We also believe that this proclamation is cruel, it violates the right to seek and enjoy asylum from persecution, and the U.S. obligation and international law, and the national refugee law.
03:24And then finally, the proclamation is simply arbitrary.
03:27You know, it effectively punishes nationals of selected countries in Africa for issues that are beyond their control.
03:35Africa is young, innovative, and rising fast.
03:39African nations contribute to global stability and progress, including in the U.S.
03:43Additionally, tens of thousands of African students study in the U.S.
03:48Banning Africans from traveling to the U.S. does not just close the borders.
03:52It closes doors to partnerships, talent, and collaborations that benefit both sides.
