Houston, Texas
AP
–
The Trump administration has already denied visas to attend high-level UN conferences this month when Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas and his large delegation have now considered 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.
While potential restrictions are still under consideration and the situation may change, the proposal is another step in the Trump administration’s crackdown on visas, including a wider review of those who already have legal permits to come to the United States and a wider review of those seeking entry to head to the UN meeting.
While Iranian diplomats’ movements are severely restricted in New York, one floating proposal would ban shopping at large-scale members-only wholesale stores such as Costco and Sam’s Club without first receiving express permission from the State Department.
These stores were a favorite of Iranian diplomats who visited when posted to New York, as they allow them to purchase large quantities of products at relatively low prices in economically isolated countries 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 terms and conditions on wholesale club membership.
For Brazil, it was not clear whether potential visa restrictions would affect President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva or lower-level members of the delegation to the UN rally.
The Brazilian president was traditionally the first world leader to speak before officials 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 US President Donald Trump, who opposes the prosecution of former president Jae Bolsonaro, a friend of his government, over allegations of attempted coup.
One country with fewer restrictions is Syria, and members of its delegation have been exempt from restrictions 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. Iran and Brazil’s UN missions did not immediately reply to requests for comment.
