On June 4, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation reinstating and expanding travel restrictions targeting foreign nationals from 12 countries deemed to pose significant national security and public safety risks. The ban will take effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time.
Countries Fully Banned from Entry
The full travel ban applies to nationals of the following 12 countries:
Afghanistan
Myanmar (Burma)
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
According to the White House, these countries have been identified as having inadequate screening and vetting procedures, high visa overstay rates, insufficient cooperation in sharing identity and threat information, or significant terrorist presence, including state-sponsored terrorism. The proclamation cites these factors as critical threats to US national security.
Partial Travel Restrictions
In addition to the full bans, nationals from seven other countries face partial restrictions, particularly affecting immigrants and holders of certain temporary visas (B-1, B-2, F, M, and J categories). These countries are:
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
Partial restrictions limit entry for some visa holders but include exceptions for lawful permanent residents, diplomats, individuals with valid visas issued before June 9, athletes and their families traveling for major sporting events, adoption cases, and certain special immigrant categories, including Afghan nationals with special immigrant visas.
Rationale and Context
The White House described the restrictions as “common sense” measures designed to protect Americans from foreign terrorists and other security threats. Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson, emphasized that the policy targets countries that do not provide adequate vetting or cooperate sufficiently in sharing threat information.
President Trump referenced recent security incidents, including a violent attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by a foreign national, as justification for the renewed travel ban. The proclamation builds on his previous travel restrictions implemented during his first term, which were upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
The ban aims to encourage cooperation from foreign governments to improve screening and vetting processes while enforcing US immigration laws and advancing counterterrorism objectives.
Exceptions and Enforcement
The proclamation allows for several exceptions to mitigate humanitarian and diplomatic concerns. Lawful permanent residents of the US, dual nationals, diplomats, and individuals traveling for critical reasons are exempted. Existing visa holders issued before the effective date are generally not affected.
The ban applies only to individuals outside the United States as of June 9, 2025, who do not hold a valid visa at that time.
Global Implications
This latest travel ban marks a significant tightening of US immigration policy affecting multiple regions, including Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Latin America. It has sparked debate internationally regarding its impact on migration, diplomatic relations, and global mobility.
The proclamation is part of the Trump administration’s broader agenda to secure US borders and enhance national security through stringent immigration controls.
