President Trump’s new immigration decree enacts sweeping entry bans and partial restrictions for citizens from over a dozen countries. Venezuelans and Cubans now face heightened barriers to entering the United States, raising concerns about collective punishment and the use of immigration policy as a political weapon.

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On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing new entry restrictions on citizens from multiple countries, citing national security and public safety concerns. The decree fully suspends entry for nationals of 12 countries and imposes partial restrictions on seven others, including Venezuela and Cuba. This move marks a significant escalation in the U.S. government’s approach to migration, particularly targeting countries that have historically resisted U.S. pressure.

What the Partial Restrictions Mean for Venezuelans and Cubans

-For Venezuelans and Cubans, the decree does not establish a total ban, but it does create substantial new barriers to entry. Citizens from these countries now face:

-Much stricter background checks and documentation requirements: Visa and entry applications will be subject to enhanced scrutiny, with applicants required to provide more detailed personal and security information.

-Slower, more discretionary processes: Visa processing times will increase, and many applications are likely to be denied under broad national security justifications, even in the absence of specific evidence.

-Restrictions on all visa types: These measures apply to both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, affecting everyone from tourists and students to those seeking permanent residency.

-Limited, opaque exceptions: The decree allows for exceptions only in very specific circumstances, at the sole discretion of U.S. authorities, with little transparency or recourse for those affected.

The official justification for these restrictions centers on alleged deficiencies in information-sharing and identity management by the Venezuelan and Cuban governments, as well as concerns about visa overstays and cooperation on deportations.

Trump issued a proclamation fully restricting and limiting the entry of nationals of the following countries: pic.twitter.com/35McdNERfG

— Olga Nesterova (@onestpress) June 4, 2025

This new decree represents a clear case of collective punishment. Under the guise of national security, millions of people are penalized solely because of their nationality, regardless of their individual circumstances or intentions. Migration policy is being wielded as a tool to exert political pressure, especially on societies and governments that refuse to align with Washington’s interests.

This measure is not isolated. It forms part of a broader pattern in which the U.S. government uses legal and administrative mechanisms to isolate and destabilize countries that assert their sovereignty.

The decree’s language and logic echo the application of the Alien Enemies Act,a centuries-old law now being used to justify the rapid deportation of Venezuelans to El Salvador, where many are detained in harsh conditions at the CECOT prison. Both policies share a punitive approach: they bypass due process and treat entire populations as security threats, rather than respecting individual rights and international norms.

These restrictions have immediate and profound consequences for ordinary people. Families are separated, students lose educational opportunities, and professionals see their prospects vanish.

The new barriers deepen the stigma against entire communities, reinforcing xenophobic narratives and fueling discrimination. In the case of Venezuela and Cuba, the decree compounds the effects of years of sanctions and economic pressure, forcing many to seek refuge or reunification with loved ones abroad,now with even fewer options.

Instead of fostering cooperation and mutual respect, the U.S. government chooses isolation and exclusion, sending a message of hostility to those who dare to defend their independence. The result is greater suffering, instability, and alienation across the region.

The Weaponization of Migration Policy

This decree is a striking example of how migration policy can be weaponized to serve foreign policy objectives. By imposing arbitrary and sweeping restrictions, the U.S. seeks to coerce governments and societies that do not comply with its demands. These measures do not address genuine security threats; rather, they perpetuate inequality and undermine the foundations of regional integration and understanding.

It is essential to denounce and resist policies that violate fundamental rights and human dignity. The struggle for justice and sovereignty in Latin America must include the defense of migrants and the rejection of collective punishment as a tool of international relations.

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