President Donald Trump has officially signed a new proclamation barring entry into the United States for individuals from 12 countries.
The decision, announced after months of speculation, is being positioned as a national security measure aimed at protecting the country from potential foreign threats.
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The ban is scheduled to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 9, 2025. The President also indicated that the list of affected nations may be updated in the future.
Previous Visas Will Remain Valid
Trump clarified that the ban will not affect those who already hold valid visas issued prior to the implementation date. Those individuals will still be allowed to travel to the U.S., as their documents won’t be revoked or canceled.
This is not Trump’s first time instituting a travel ban. During his first term, he imposed restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries—a move that was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Joe Biden later rescinded that ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
Reasons Cited: Terror Concerns and Identity Verification
According to Trump, the 12 banned countries have either a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” fail to meet security protocols for visa issuance, or are unable to adequately confirm the identities of travelers. He also stated that citizens from these countries tend to have high rates of visa overstays in the U.S.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” the President stated.
Countries on the Full Ban List
The full list of countries affected includes:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
In addition, partial restrictions will apply to travelers from:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Trump referenced a recent violent incident in Boulder, Colorado, as part of the justification for the ban. Over the weekend, an Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly threw a gasoline bomb into a group of pro-Israel demonstrators. Authorities later found that Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa and was working illegally with an expired permit. Notably, Egypt is not on the current list of banned countries.
Global Reaction and Criticism
The move has already drawn international criticism. The African Union issued a statement urging the U.S. to reconsider the ban, encouraging a “more consultative approach” and “constructive dialogue” with the nations involved.
Somalia’s ambassador to the United States, Dahir Hassan Abdi, expressed disappointment but also a willingness to cooperate: “Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised.”
Meanwhile, Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello criticized the policy more sharply, saying, “The truth is being in the United States is a big risk for anybody, not just for Venezuelans. They persecute our countrymen for no reason.”
Looking Ahead
As the ban prepares to take effect, Trump’s administration has signaled that the policy is not static. New countries may be added or removed depending on security developments and compliance with U.S. screening standards. For now, the ban marks a significant return to the hardline immigration measures that defined much of Trump’s first term in office.