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On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a presidential proclamation imposing full travel restrictions on nationals from 12 countries, citing concerns over national security and inadequate information-sharing practices.
The countries subject to the full travel ban are:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
The ban blocks both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa holders from entering the United States from these countries. According to administration officials, the decision follows a security review that identified serious deficiencies in identity management and information-sharing practices among the listed nations.
In addition to the full bans, the administration has also imposed partial restrictions on nationals from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These measures include enhanced vetting and limits on specific visa categories.
The proclamation builds on Executive Order 14161, signed earlier this year, which directed U.S. security agencies to assess the integrity of foreign nations’ travel documentation systems and their cooperation with U.S. vetting procedures.
The move is reminiscent of Trump’s earlier travel bans during his first term, which targeted several Muslim-majority countries and were eventually upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Critics of the new restrictions argue that the policy may disproportionately affect refugees and families with established ties in the United States, while supporters claim it is a necessary step to protect American national security.
The new travel bans will take effect on June 9, 2025.
Sources:
- Reuters: www.reuters.com/world/americas/trump-signs-proclamation-banning-travel-12-countries-2025-06-04/
- New York Post: nypost.com/2025/06/04/us-news/trump-signs-proclamation-barring-foreign-nationals-from-these-12-nations-from-entering-the-us
- Executive Order 14161 (Federal Register)
