The U.S. Government Supports New Travel Restrictions

The U.S. State Department says it supports the bill passed in the House of Representatives regarding the establishment of travel restrictions; this bill could have consequences for Iranian-Americans or those who have traveled to Iran. The House of Representatives passed the bill on December 7 with an overwhelming majority. According to this bill, citizens of 38 countries that do not need a visa to enter the United States must obtain a visa if they have traveled to countries such as Iran, Iraq, Syria, or Sudan in the past five years. There is also concern that citizens of these countries who are now citizens of those 38 countries may also be excluded from visa exemptions. At the same time, the legalization of this bill could provoke a reciprocal response from Europe, leading to similar laws regarding American citizens. John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated on December 18, "We support the new law presented in the House of Representatives by both parties [Republican and Democrat], and we hope Congress will act quickly to pass it." The U.S. Congress consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the new bill must now be approved by the Senate and then signed by the U.S. President to become law. Citizens of 38 countries, including many European countries, Japan, and South Korea, do not need a visa for a 90-day stay in the United States. The deadly Paris attacks and the California shooting by a Muslim couple reportedly influenced by Islamic extremists have led countries like the U.S. to adopt new security measures. Citizens from several European countries are among the members of the group known as the "Islamic State," including France and Belgium, which were the residences of the planners and perpetrators of the extensive Paris attacks. Individuals linked to the Islamic State who traveled to Syria, some of whom are on the list of suspects for carrying out "terrorist operations." However, the new travel restriction bill has critics who consider it discriminatory. Some also argue that such a bill could negatively impact the tourism industry in Iran and hinder the travel of tourists from European or East Asian countries to Iran. In this context, the House of Representatives approved new travel restrictions to the U.S.