Houston (AP) – The Trump administration already has it Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas refused visa And his large delegation to attend this month’s high-level UN conference is considering tightening restrictions on several other delegations that severely limit their ability to travel outside of New York City.
Potential travel and other restrictions could soon be imposed on Brazil, which has held the traditional status of honor among the high-level leaders gathering at the UN General Assembly, which begins September 22, according to a memo from the State Department seen by the Associated Press.
Potential restrictions are still under consideration and the situation may change, but the proposal will be another step for the Trump administration Visa crackdownincluding a broad review of those who already have legal permits to come to the United States, as well as a broad review of those seeking entry to head to the United Nations Conference.
Iranian diplomats’ movements are severely restricted in New York, but one floating proposal would ban shopping at wholesale stores only with large members. Costco and Sam’s Club Without first receiving express permission from the State Department.
These stores were a favorite of Iranian diplomats who post to visit in New York as they could purchase large quantities of products that are not available in economically isolated Iran at relatively low prices and send them home.
It was not immediately clear whether or when the Iranian proposal to ban shopping would take effect, but the memo said the State Department was considering drafting rules that would allow all US diplomats to impose conditions on wholesale club membership.
For Brazil, it was not clear whether potential visa restrictions would affect Luis Inacio Lula da Silva or whether lower-level members of the country’s delegation would affect high-level UN rallies.
The Brazilian president has traditionally been the first world leader to speak before the leaders gathered on the first day of the session. The President of the United States is the second speaker in the lead.
Lula is the target of the US president Donald Trumpopposed the prosecution against former president Jia Bolsonaro, a friend of his government, and on allegations of attempted coup.
One country with fewer restrictions is Syria, and members of its delegation have received exemptions from restrictions that have been placed on UN travel for more than a decade.
The exemption was issued last week, and the waiver was issued as the Trump administration attempted to build bonds following the expulsion of Syrian President Bashar Assad last year, and was sought to integrate the former church into the Middle East.
Although it is named as a possible goal, the memo did not specify what restrictions would be imposed on the Sudan and Zimbabwean delegations.
The State Department did not immediately provide comment.
