Full Breakdown
US Lifts Travel Ban on Albanian Leader Sali Berisha
6/13/2026, 12:46:35 AM
Travel Ban Lifted for Sali Berisha
On 12 June 2026 the U.S. State Department announced that the travel restriction placed on former Albanian president and prime minister Sali Berisha and his family in 2021 has been removed, restoring his ability as Democratic Party leader to travel to the United States.
Berisha’s Political History and 2021 U.S. Designation
Berisha, 81, guided Albania through post-communist transition in the early 1990s, serving as both prime minister and president before becoming leader of the main opposition party. In 2021 Washington barred him under a 7031(c) designation, alleging “corrupt acts” including misappropriation of public funds and using his authority to enrich relatives.
State Department Waiver Rationale
A State Department spokesperson said the agency “issued waivers for several 7031(c) designations imposed under the previous administration because granting the waivers serves a compelling national interest.” No identities of other waiver recipients were disclosed.
Albanian Protests Over Kushner Resort
The waiver announcement coincided with demonstrations in Albania opposing a luxury resort linked to Jared Kushner, son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump. Protesters say the project threatens local environments and sovereignty, creating a volatile backdrop to the diplomatic development.
Implications for Albania–U.S. Relations
Lifting the ban may ease diplomatic friction between Tirana and Washington, allowing the opposition leader to engage directly with U.S. officials and diaspora groups. It also signals a shift in U.S. policy toward Albanian figures previously deemed corrupt, influencing aid and investment.
Official Statements
Berisha called the restriction “unfair” and praised the review that led to its reversal. The State Department framed the waivers as serving a “compelling national interest,” emphasizing a broader reassessment of 7031(c) designations.
Criticism and Opposition
Berisha’s remarks cast the earlier ban as politically motivated, while protestors continue to challenge the Kushner-linked resort, reflecting broader skepticism toward foreign influence in Albanian affairs.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
The sources do not specify how many other individuals received waivers, nor detail the national interest cited by the State Department. No alternative accounts of the ban’s removal are provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “As of yesterday, after a thorough review of my case by the State Department, my family and I are no longer deprived of the possibility of travel to the United States,” — Sali Berisha, Facebook
- “An unfair decision of the previous U.S. administration against me and my family was corrected,” — Sali Berisha, Facebook
- “issued waivers for several 7031(c) designations imposed under the previous administration because granting the waivers serves a compelling national interest.” — U.S. State Department spokesperson
What’s Next
Berisha is expected to schedule visits to the United States to meet officials and diaspora leaders. Meanwhile, Albanian civil society groups plan further demonstrations against the Kushner resort, and Washington is likely to monitor the evolving political climate as part of its Balkan strategy.
