SOME people visiting New York may soon need permission just to roam the city freely.
The Trump administration is weighing new restrictions ahead of the UN General Assembly.
Foreign diplomats visiting the US may soon need State Department approval just to shop at wholesale stores like Costco and Sam’s Club (stock)[/caption]
The Trump administration is weighing new restrictions ahead of the UN General Assembly[/caption]
This comes after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation were denied entry to the US for a high-level UN meeting[/caption]
The measures could limit travel, shopping, and day-to-day activities for certain visitors.
The restriction specifically targets Iranian delegates, who may be barred from filling carts at wholesale stores like Costco and Sam’s Club without approval from the State Department.
The move comes after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation were denied entry to the US for a high-level UN meeting.
Abbas and about 80 Palestinian officials had their visas revoked, blocking them from attending the UN General Assembly in New York next month.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move was due to the Palestinians’ attempts to bypass negotiations and push for unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state.
The decision, welcomed by Israel, has drawn criticism from Abbas’ office, which called it a violation of international law and UN rules.
UN officials said they hope the issue can be resolved to ensure all member states and observers can participate in the upcoming meetings.
France, the UK, Canada, and Australia are among the countries planning to push for recognition of a Palestinian state at the session.
Iranian diplomats have long used wholesale clubs to buy large quantities of products not available back home.
It is unclear when the shopping restrictions would take effect, but the memo suggests the State Department may impose conditions on memberships for all foreign diplomats.
Other delegations could also face new rules, including Sudan, Zimbabwe, and even Brazil.
Brazil’s delegation traditionally delivers the opening speech at the General Assembly, though lower-level staff could be affected by any new restrictions.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva may not be directly impacted, but tensions with Trump over legal actions against former President Jair Bolsonaro could influence the treatment of his delegation.
Sudan and Zimbabwe could see limitations affecting mobility, visas, and access to facilities.
Who Could Be Affected
- Iran – Delegates may need State Department permission to buy items at wholesale stores like Costco and Sam’s Club.
- Sudan – Potential limits on travel, shopping, and access to facilities.
- Zimbabwe – Possible restrictions on movement and visas for visiting staff.
- Brazil – Lower-level delegates could face new limits, though President Lula may not be affected.
- Palestine – Entry previously denied for President Mahmoud Abbas and his delegation.
- Syria – Granted a waiver; fewer restrictions compared with other nations.
Syria, in contrast, has received a waiver from typical travel restrictions.
The exemption shows the administration is looking to improve relations with Syria after Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.
Observers note that this waiver shows selective leniency in the administration’s approach to foreign delegations, Newsweek reported.
The measures remain under review and could change before the General Assembly begins on September 22.
Officials say the broader review could change before the General Assembly begins on September 22.
The US State Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by The U.S. Sun.
The restrictions could affect shoppers from Iran, Sudan, Zimbabwe, and Brazil (stock)[/caption]
The measures remain under review and could change before the General Assembly begins on September 22 (stock)[/caption]
