US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh proclamation imposing a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, citing national security concerns and the need for better screening of foreign visitors. The ban, announced on Wednesday, is scheduled to take effect from 12:01 am on June 9, 2025, and is among the most far-reaching immigration restrictions in recent American history.
The new order revives Trump’s controversial immigration agenda from his first term, when he had barred travellers from several Muslim-majority countries. The current ban fully restricts entry for citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, seven other countries face partial visa restrictions, affecting specific categories such as work or student visas.
Reasons Behind the Ban and Countries Affected
The White House has stated that the travel ban is based on an updated assessment of global screening, vetting, and security risks. President Trump said the measure is necessary to protect Americans from “dangerous foreign actors” and to ensure that those entering the US do not pose a threat to national security. The decision comes days after a deadly attack in Boulder, Colorado, allegedly carried out by an Egyptian national. Although Egypt is not on the list, Trump cited the incident as a reminder of the risks posed by individuals from countries with poor screening practices.
The affected countries were chosen due to their inability to meet US standards for document integrity, lack of cooperation in accepting back their nationals, or high rates of visa overstays. For example, Afghanistan, now under Taliban control, lacks proper screening protocols and has high overstay rates for both tourist and student visas. Myanmar has also been flagged for not cooperating with US authorities and for excessive visa overstays.
Impact and Reactions
The travel ban is expected to impact millions of people seeking to enter the United States for tourism, work, study, or relocation. The measure has reignited debate in the US and abroad, with supporters arguing that it is necessary for national security, while critics claim it unfairly targets certain nations and could separate families or disrupt international business and education.
This policy echoes Trump’s first-term travel bans, which faced legal challenges and were eventually upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018. His successor, President Joe Biden, had revoked those restrictions in 2021, calling them “a stain on our national conscience.” Now, with Trump back in office, the travel ban has returned in an expanded form, and the administration has warned that more countries could be added if new threats emerge.
The new ban does not revoke visas already issued before June 9, but it does suspend the issuance of new visas for nationals of the banned countries. The White House has said the list of affected countries may be updated in the future, depending on global security developments.
