The Biden administration has lifted most of its visa sanctions on Laos, marking a significant step for thousands of Southeast Asian Americans, many of them refugees, and their families in the immigration process, experts say.
The measure is a "great first step to undo some of the harm that’s been done by the Trump administration," Kham Moua, of the nonprofit Southeast Asia Resource Action Center, said.
In a memo, the Biden administration wrote that the majority of Lao citizens who have applied, or will apply, for travel or immigrant visas will no longer be subjected to the ban, a move authorized by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. However, the document noted that sanctions will continue to be in place for certain government officials, contingent on whether Laos cooperates with the U.S. demands to accept deportees.
Moua explained that, for years, Laos has remained on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency’s list of “recalcitrant” countries, a distinction given to governments that routinely refuse to issue the travel documents required for the U.S. to carry out deportations. In 2018, under the Trump administration, the country was slapped with diplomatic sanctions as pressure to aid in the removal of more Laotian immigrants.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Biden, German chancellor present united front amid tensions with Russia
Baca lebih lajut »
Ukraine-Russia crisis: Germany's Scholz meets with Biden, Macron heads to MoscowFrench President Emmanuel Macron is holding talks in Moscow and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz with Biden to coordinate policies amid the Ukraine-Russia crisis.
Baca lebih lajut »
Biden: It ‘would be wise’ for Americans to leave UkraineInternational efforts to defuse the standoff over Ukraine intensified Monday, with France's president holding talks in Moscow and Germany's chancellor seen in Washington to coordinate policies as fears of a Russian invasion mounted.
Baca lebih lajut »
Biden meets with German chancellor, urges united front amid tensions with Russia
Baca lebih lajut »
Top Biden science adviser apologizes for 'demeaning' colleaguesA top science adviser to President Joe Biden, Eric Lander, apologized to staff for speaking to colleagues in a 'disrespectful or demeaning way,' after an internal investigation found evidence of workplace conduct policy violations.
Baca lebih lajut »
Biden officials moved too slowly to prep Kabul evacuation, officers sayU.S. military officers painted a grim picture of the final days of the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan in interviews for an investigative report by the Army.
Baca lebih lajut »