In a bold and symbolic response to the United States’ latest travel ban, the Republic of Chad has announced it will suspend the issuance of visas to American citizens. The decision, made public by President Idriss Déby in a Facebook post on Thursday, comes just 24 hours after U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation restricting entry from 12 countries—including Chad—over security concerns.
“I have instructed the government to act in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and suspend the issuance of visas to U.S. citizens,” Déby said, noting that while Chad may not have the wealth or influence of global powerhouses, it would not compromise on its “dignity and pride.”
In a pointed remark, the Chadian leader referenced Qatar’s recent donation of a $400 million aircraft to President Trump. “Chad has no planes to offer, no billions of dollars to give,” Déby wrote. “But Chad has its dignity and pride.”
The U.S. proclamation, signed by President Trump on Wednesday, bars nationals from a dozen countries from entering the United States. Those affected include Afghanistan, Chad, Myanmar, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In a statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), Trump framed the directive as a national security measure, declaring, “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm.” He added that the list of countries under restriction could be expanded in the coming months.
Chad’s swift countermeasure reflects growing frustration among African and Middle Eastern nations over what they view as one-sided immigration policies targeting vulnerable populations under the guise of counterterrorism.
This isn’t the first time Chad has found itself on the receiving end of U.S. travel restrictions. In 2017, during Trump’s first term, Chad was briefly included in a travel ban, prompting confusion and diplomatic tension. That earlier inclusion was widely criticized, particularly because Chad was, at the time, a key counterterrorism ally of the United States in the Sahel region.
Also, read: Billboard Launches Billboard Africa to Spotlight the Continent’s Musical Powerhouse
Now, with Trump back in the Oval Office and pursuing an aggressive second-term immigration agenda, Chad’s decision to push back underscores a shift in tone—and perhaps in patience—from U.S.-targeted nations.
While the number of Americans seeking visas to Chad is relatively small, the move sends a broader message about sovereignty and mutual respect. For a country like Chad—where pride and national identity are deeply ingrained in public consciousness—the decision to suspend U.S. visas is about more than diplomatic tit-for-tat; it’s about defending the nation’s honor.
Bringing further weight to the move is the context in which it comes: a wider U.S. immigration crackdown that has already seen Venezuelans deported to El Salvador over suspected gang ties and international students face increased restrictions on educational visas.
It’s unclear how long Chad’s suspension of U.S. visas will remain in place, but both sides appear to be bracing for continued strain in diplomatic relations. In the meantime, political analysts say this episode could spark similar retaliatory measures from other countries caught in the crosshairs of the travel ban.
For now, one thing is clear: Chad may not be a superpower, but it’s drawing a line—and standing by it.
