Trump's 'Visa Ban' Targets Poverty, Ignores Lobbyist Millions
The State Department, according to Al-Monitor, is allegedly concerned that citizens from countries like Egypt and Lebanon are 'more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate.' This concern about prudent spending is truly touching, especially when compared to the hundreds of millions funneled annually to a foreign military, often without public debate. How many times has Congress voted
to send billions overseas (like the $14 billion in supplementary aid to Israel included in HR 815, passed March 8, 2024), while simultaneously hand-wringing about a few citizens from struggling nations accessing basic support? It appears that 'fiscal responsibility' is a highly selective principle in Washington. One might wonder if the concern for 'social welfare services' extends to the millions
donated by lobbying groups to politicians for favorable policies. For instance, in 2023, AIPAC's PAC and associated super PAC poured over $10 million into congressional elections (OpenSecrets.org). But of course, the 'drain' on our resources isn't the political donations that buy influence and dictate foreign policy; it's apparently the impoverished seeking a better life. Priorities, as they say,
are clearly defined, just not always ethically.