U.S. fully implements travel restrictions against Muslim countries, N. Korea
WASHINGTON, Dec. 8 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Friday fully implemented travel restrictions against six Muslim-majority countries, North Korea and Venezuela.
The restrictions were announced in a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump in September, but faced legal appeals. The Supreme Court ruled Monday to allow the order to be enforced while the legal proceedings continue.
"The Department began implementing the full Proclamation at the opening of business (local time) at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas today, Friday, December 8, 2017," the State Department said in a statement.
National security is the top priority in U.S. visa operations, it said, and the embassies and consulates will fully implement the proclamation to "protect the American people."
"All countries share responsibility to prevent terrorist attacks, transnational crime, and immigration fraud," it said.
The eight nations, including Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen, are accused of failing to comply with U.S. requirements designed to ensure travelers do not pose a national security or public safety threat.
The order calls for enhancing vetting capabilities at the U.S. diplomatic missions.
The restrictions can be lifted if the targeted countries work with the U.S. government to ensure the safety of Americans, according to the State Department.
Suspending entry of North Koreans is largely symbolic, as the communist regime imposes strict controls on its citizens' travels and few are thought to come to the U.S.
Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang have escalated for months over the regime's testing of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles aimed at the U.S. mainland.
hague@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
All BTS members renew contract with BigHit
-
Top court upholds life sentence for woman over drowning death of husband for insurance money
-
Defense minister nominee calls for scrapping inter-Korean military accord
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
All BTS members renew contract with BigHit
-
Top court upholds life sentence for woman over drowning death of husband for insurance money
-
Late wife of Australian veteran of Korean War laid to rest in Busan
-
Remains of another Korean War soldier identified
-
(LEAD) Fighter jet crashes in Seosan; pilot makes emergency escape
-
(LEAD) S. Korea stages military parade in downtown Seoul for 1st time in decade
-
(Asiad) S. Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo embroiled in controversy after 2nd-round upset
-
(LEAD) Court rejects arrest warrant for opposition leader Lee over corruption charges
-
S. Korea shows off 'high-power' missiles for Armed Forces Day ceremony
-
(2nd LD) (Asiad) S. Korean tennis player Kwon Soon-woo embroiled in controversy after 2nd-round upset