President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new travel ban, barring nationals from countries from entering the United States starting June, 2025. The ban, justified by the administration as a response to national security concerns and recent violent incidents, will fully restrict both immigrant and non-immigrant visas for citizens of the following countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In addition to the outright ban, citizens from seven more countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—will face partial restrictions, limiting their ability to obtain certain types of visas, including those for tourism, study, or permanent residency.
The White House claims these measures target nations with “significant terrorist presence,” poor cooperation on identity verification, or high rates of visa overstays. Exceptions exist for lawful U.S. residents, current visa holders, and specific cases deemed in the national interest.
Trump has warned that the list could be updated, with more countries potentially added if new threats emerge. The announcement has sparked criticism and concern from several affected nations and international organizations, while the administration maintains the ban is essential for “protecting Americans from dangerous foreign actors”.
