Trump announces travel ban on 12 countries, restrictions on 7 others

US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation Wednesday, reinstating a controversial travel ban from his first term, barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States and imposing restrictions on seven others, effective 12:01 AM Monday, June 9, 2025.

The move aims to address national security concerns but has sparked criticism for its broad scope and potential impact.
The banned countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Partial restrictions apply to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, affecting immigrant visas and certain non-immigrant travel.

Exceptions are made for US permanent residents, existing visa holders, Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas, diplomats, athletes, and dual nationals with passports from unaffected countries.

Trump cited deficient vetting, high visa overstay rates, and terrorism risks, referencing a recent Boulder, Colorado, attack by an Egyptian national who overstayed a tourist visa, though Egypt is not on the list. The proclamation follows a January 20 executive order directing agencies to identify high-risk countries.

Critics, including #AfghanEvac’s Shawn VanDiver, called the ban a “moral disgrace,” particularly for targeting Afghans who aided US forces. Oxfam warned it would trap people fleeing war and persecution.

The policy, upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018 after earlier legal challenges, may face new lawsuits. Trump indicated the list could expand, with Egypt under review.

The ban aims to avoid the chaos of the 2017 rollout, which caused airport detentions and protests. Affected travelers and advocates are bracing for impact as the policy nears implementation.