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I Studied the First Trump Travel Bans for Two Years: I’m Still Confused

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Baton Rouge, LA, USA — For two years, I studied the Trump administration’s travel bans from his first term, which primarily targeted nations with significant Muslim populations and drew widespread criticism for their discriminatory appearance. As someone with an Iranian partner directly affected by these bans, I had a deeply personal connection to the issue. I initially believed we would not see another round of such policies, as I doubted Trump would win re-election. However, it appears this may be in Trump’s forthcoming plans.  

I dedicated countless nights to analyzing the travel bans from every angle: their stated purpose, the extent of multi-agency oversight, judicial injunctions, political advantages and drawbacks, safety considerations, public perception, and responses from citizens, diplomats, geopolitical experts, and the Department of Homeland Security. My research culminated in an article called, “How Iranians Are Barred From the West Through Reactive Visa Policies Fueled by Politics.”

It is unclear why Trump chose the specific countries he did for the bans, apart from possible personal or political animus. The decisions seemed to originate from a highly centralized process within the White House, with limited agency oversight. While the bans ostensibly aimed to punish or leverage “rogue” nations, they largely restricted ordinary citizens rather than addressing root geopolitical issues. Paradoxically, treaties permitting nationals from these countries to work at intergovernmental organizations like the UN remained in effect, potentially preempting the bans and creating a legal conflict. I explored this further in an article called, “The Attorney’s Guidebook to Handling UN and OAS Visas: Understanding the U.S.’ Obligations in IGO Visa Issuance.”

Nationality-based discrimination in visa policies is widespread globally. Nationalities such as Nigerians, North Koreans, and Iranians have often been subject to blanket bans. While these measures appear discriminatory, they rarely provoke significant public outcry or demand for reform. In an article called, “Why the Ability to Migrate Matters in Issuing Visa Restrictions and Punishments: The North Korean Example,” I examined the inconsistency in how so-called “rogue” nations are treated. For instance, North Korea is among the most hostile states yet faces fewer travel bans than Syria, despite posing a similar geopolitical challenge. 

Another factor influencing visa restrictions is migratory pressure. Countries with high migration potential often face stricter policies, but this is not always consistent. Mexicans and Venezuelans, for example, have significant visa-free access to the Schengen Area, even though they are considered high-pressure migratory groups for the U.S. This inconsistency underscores the complex interplay of geopolitics and diplomacy in shaping these policies. 

Diplomatic failures likely played a role in Trump’s travel bans. Experts, including DHS officials, agree that nationality is not a reliable indicator of terrorist threats or security risks. Additionally, the principle of reciprocity—where unfair restrictions on other countries could lead to retaliatory measures against U.S. citizens and diplomats—may have been considered but did not prevent the administration from imposing broad and poorly justified bans. 

Ultimately, these bans appeared to be more about political optics than strategic policy. They likely served as a signal to Trump’s voter base, demonstrating a hardline stance against perceived adversaries. However, judicial oversight exposed their arbitrary and contradictory nature, further undermining their legitimacy. 

Looking forward, there is speculation about a potential second travel ban under Trump, should he regain office. If implemented, such a ban could aim to amplify the impact of sanctions or tariffs on targeted nations or address perceived loopholes in the travel system, such as labor exploitation, smuggling, or regulatory violations. A “pause” in travel might be framed as a security measure but would likely follow the same flawed principles as the original bans. 

If such policies are reintroduced, they would again tarnish the nation’s reputation, perpetuating a legacy of reactive and discriminatory governance. I cannot imagine the efficacy of a widespread ban outweighing justice and fairness. Instead, ordinary people may be caught in the crossfire unintentionally.


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Contact Person: Nicolas Garon

Email: Nicolas.Garon@sulc.edu

Website:  https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=6192644

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DuoKey to Unveil Encrypted Financial Intelligence Use Case at GISEC Global 2025: A Breakthrough in Fraud Detection Powered by Fully Homomorphic Encryption and MPC-based KMS

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Dubai, UAE, 2nd May 2025, ZEX PR WIRECloud security leader DuoKey will unveil its groundbreaking use case for encrypted financial intelligence at GISEC Global in Dubai next week. Designed to address the challenges of fraud detection and regulatory compliance, this approach, which combines Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) and Multi-Party Computation (MPC)-based Key Management (KMS), allows financial institutions to analyse encrypted transactions in real time without ever decrypting sensitive data.

In a global financial landscape where illicit transactions exceed $2 trillion annually and compliance fines topped $10.4 billion on a yearly basis according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes, DuoKey confidential AI use case for the financial sector demonstrates how financial institutions can securely process high-risk transaction patterns, perform watchlist screening and assess customer risk profile, while preserving end-to-end encryption and maintaining jurisdictional data control.

“Traditional approaches expose data during analysis, creating systemic security gaps,” said Nagib Aouini, CEO of DuoKey. “Our use case shows how FHE and MPC-based KMS together allow financial institutions to detect fraud, meet AML obligations and collaborate securely without any compromise on data confidentiality or sovereignty.”

DuoKey financial intelligence solution enables secure collaboration between banks, regulators, and fintech providers by allowing cross-border investigation and compliance workflows without revealing underlying customer data. This addresses a longstanding roadblock to industry-wide fraud detection while complying with privacy and regulatory standards such as GDPR, FATF, and PCI DSS.

Visitors to GISEC Global will get the opportunity to explore the live use case at the DuoKey booth (D-120, Hall 6) starting on May 6 until May 8. Schedule your personalised demo at GISEC Global to see how DuoKey financial intelligence enhances fraud detection and compliance. Demonstrations include real-time transaction scoring, encrypted rule-based screening and dynamic anti money laundering (AML) analytics all with performance benchmarks that rival traditional unencrypted systems.

About DuoKey

DuoKey is an enterprise cloud security leader specialised in key management and encryption, helping businesses leverage cloud and AI capabilities with true confidence using advanced encryption technologies.

Learn more: https://duokey.com

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Construction Leader Charles Wholey Partakes in A New Online Interview: “From Foundation to Finish”

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Nevada, US, 2nd May 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, Charles Wholey, a highly respected construction superintendent with deep roots in Nevada’s building industry, is the subject of a newly released feature interview titled “From Foundation to Finish: Inside the Mind of Builder Charles Wholey.” The in-depth conversation offers a compelling look into Wholey’s professional journey, leadership philosophy, and the principles that have shaped his approach to modern construction.

Known for his work on complex residential and commercial builds throughout Reno and Carson City, Wholey brings years of hands-on experience and academic achievement to his role as Construction Superintendent at LT Builders. The interview explores everything from his views on decision-making under pressure to the evolving future of sustainable construction.

“I want people to understand that construction isn’t just about the physical outcome—it’s about the people behind the project, the lessons learned, and the standards we uphold every day,” said Wholey. “This interview was a chance to talk about the values that drive me, both on and off the job site.”

The conversation touches on Charles’s background—growing up working for his father’s company, Wholey Construction—as well as his dedication to mentorship, quality control, and continuous improvement. Readers will also learn about his vision for future projects, including his dream of building sustainable, off-grid communities.

This interview positions Charles Wholey as not only a seasoned construction professional, but a thoughtful leader committed to elevating the industry.

About Charles Wholey

Charles Wholey is a construction superintendent based in Reno and Carson City, Nevada. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Construction Management from Western Nevada College, graduating summa cum laude, and has served in key roles ranging from safety officer to project manager. Outside of work, he is active in his community and a passionate supporter of environmental and youth initiatives.

To read the full interview, visit the website here

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Mentorship Over Metrics: Marjorie Jeffrey on Redefining Leadership for Women in Marketing

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Michigan, US, 2nd May 2025, ZEX PR WIRE, As marketing departments race to keep pace with AI, automation, and changing consumer expectations, senior marketing strategist Marjorie Jeffrey says the most significant transformation isn’t happening in the tools marketers use; it’s in how future leaders are developed.

According to Marjorie Jeffrey, mentorship is no longer optional. “If we want more women in leadership, we need to stop treating mentorship as a bonus and start recognizing it as core to how strong, ethical, and inclusive teams are built,” she says.

Jeffrey, who has guided dozens of companies through brand transformations and campaign strategy over the past 15 years, now dedicates a significant portion of her time to mentoring early-career marketers, especially women. She believes that creating the next generation of leadership requires intentional relationship-building, open dialogue, and systems that reward collaboration over competition.

“Marketing has evolved, but the leadership models in many organizations haven’t,” Jeffrey explains. “We’re still valuing output and volume over strategic insight and emotional intelligence. Mentorship is one of the few ways to shift that culture from the inside out.”

While women make up the majority of entry-level marketing roles, Jeffrey points out that they remain underrepresented at the top. “There’s a persistent gap between who’s doing the work and who’s getting the recognition, and that gap only widens without meaningful support structures like mentorship,” she says.

According to Jeffrey, mentorship is especially critical for women navigating industries like tech, finance, or B2B services, where leadership still skews heavily male. She believes the most effective mentors offer more than tactical advice; they provide context, validation, and space for vulnerable conversations about imposter syndrome, negotiation, and self-advocacy.

“People assume mentorship is just about sharing expertise, but often it’s about reminding someone they belong in the room,” says Jeffrey. “I’ve had mentees who were brilliant marketers but struggled to see themselves as leaders. Mentorship helps close that gap between capability and confidence.”

Jeffrey encourages companies to treat mentorship as part of their strategic planning, not a side initiative. She advocates for formal mentorship programs, cross-level collaboration, and reverse mentorship structures where junior employees can share emerging insights with senior leaders.

“If mentorship only happens casually, it stays limited to people with the right networks or personalities to ask for help,” Jeffrey explains. “We need to institutionalize it, especially if we want to foster diversity in leadership. That means giving people the time, training, and tools to mentor well.”

Jeffrey works with organizations in her consulting practice to embed mentorship into their brand cultures, tying it directly to employee retention, leadership pipelines, and internal communications. She often conducts messaging audits and internal workshops to make mentorship more actionable and accessible across teams.

“Mentorship has measurable impact,” she says. “It improves job satisfaction, accelerates career progression, and helps companies retain talent, especially during times of rapid change. Why wouldn’t we prioritize that?”

Jeffrey also emphasizes the importance of storytelling in mentorship. As someone who builds audience-first marketing strategies, she sees narrative as a powerful leadership tool. “When women in leadership share their real stories, the wins and the mistakes, it humanizes success,” she notes. “That vulnerability builds trust and makes leadership seem possible for more people.”

Outside of her client work, Jeffrey frequently speaks on inclusive messaging and brand ethics at industry conferences. She’s building a mentorship circle specifically for mid-career women marketers navigating transitions into management, entrepreneurship, or specialized strategic roles.

“There’s so much support for entry-level talent, but mid-career is where many women drop off the leadership path,” says Jeffrey. “We need to intervene there, with mentorship that’s practical, flexible, and grounded in real experiences.”

For Jeffrey, mentorship is not just a leadership responsibility. It’s a way of investing in the industry’s future. She believes that as marketing becomes more human-centric and purpose-driven, the role of mentors will become even more essential.

“The real legacy of a marketing leader isn’t just in the campaigns they run, it’s in the people they shape,” she says. “If I can help even one person lead with more clarity, confidence, and compassion, that’s the kind of impact that lasts.”

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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