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Chad’s president, Idriss Deby Itno. Chad was added to the list of countries affected by Trump’s travel ban because it ran out of passport paper, US officials say.
Chad’s president, Idriss Deby Itno. Chad was added to the list of countries affected by Trump’s travel ban because it ran out of passport paper, US officials say. Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images
Chad’s president, Idriss Deby Itno. Chad was added to the list of countries affected by Trump’s travel ban because it ran out of passport paper, US officials say. Photograph: Miguel Medina/AFP/Getty Images

Travel ban: Chad added because it ran out of passport paper, US officials say

This article is more than 6 years old

The Trump administration’s decision to add Chad to the list of affected countries was puzzling due to its cooperation with the US on counter-terrorism

US officials say an office supply issue was a major reason the African country of Chad was hit with travel restrictions by the United States.

Donald Trump’s administration added Chad in an order last month that a judge put on hold this week. Chad’s inclusion was perplexing because the country cooperates closely with the US on counter-terrorism.

It turns out a seemingly pedestrian issue was to blame: Chad ran out of passport paper.

All countries had been given 50 days to take several steps that included providing a recent passport sample. Chad couldn’t comply, and its offer to provide a pre-existing sample wasn’t sufficient.

The homeland security department says there were other reasons Chad was added, too. The department says the US is working with Chad to resolve them.

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