U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued the following announcement on April 10.
The President announced today that Chad has raised its security standards to meet important baseline U.S. national security requirements. Therefore, its nationals will again be able to receive visas for travel to the United States.
The removal of the restrictions is the result of close cooperation conducted with Chad during a required 180-day review of the Administration’s enhanced global security measures, as outlined by Presidential Proclamation 9645. The Presidential Proclamation established for the first time in history minimum requirements for international cooperation to support U.S. visa and immigration vetting and adjudications.
Since implementing these travel restrictions and the 180 day review process in September 2017, the Administration has recorded notable improvements in identity management and information sharing with foreign governments.
The higher security standards implemented by the President have incentivized our international partners to take action—including improving sharing of data on terrorists and criminals, making travel documents more secure, and taking steps to crack down on identity fraud. Specifically, Chad, a critical U.S. counterterrorism partner, has made strides in meeting the criteria established in the Presidential Proclamation and has addressed previous deficiencies. For this reason, the travel restrictions placed on the Chad have been terminated effective Friday, April 13.
The removal of travel restrictions on Chad further demonstrates that the criteria set forth in the Presidential Proclamation can and have worked to enhance the security of the United States. Furthermore, it sends a clear message to foreign governments that cooperating with us can result in mutual security gains, while failure to comply with baseline U.S. information-sharing requirements will result in consequences.
Over the 180-day review period, DHS and the Department of State actively engaged those countries currently subject to travel restrictions—and other nations around the world—in an effort to address and correct any deficiencies in achieving the baseline standard for identity management and information sharing. The process overall has resulted in increased international cooperation to counter threats to our homeland and to prevent individuals from exploiting our immigration system.
The Administration originally announced these enhanced security measures in September 2017. In accordance with Executive Order 13780 and Presidential Proclamation 9645, if foreign countries do not meet the U.S. Government’s traveler vetting and information sharing requirements, their nationals may not be allowed to enter the United States or may face other travel restrictions. Additional information can be found here.
Original source can be found here.
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