US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning nationals from 12 countries from entering the United States, citing national security risks. The countries affected in the travel ban include:
- Countries with Full Travel Ban:
- Afghanistan: Due to alleged inadequate security vetting and terrorist ties
- Myanmar (Burma): Citing national security concerns and inadequate information-sharing
- Chad: Reinstated after previously being removed from the list, due to concerns over terrorism and security
- Republic of the Congo: Alleged inadequate security vetting and terrorist ties
- Equatorial Guinea: National security concerns and inadequate information-sharing
- Eritrea: Alleged ties to terrorism and inadequate security vetting
- Haiti: Included due to concerns over security, vetting, and humanitarian crises
- Iran: Citing national security concerns, terrorism, and inadequate information-sharing
- Libya: Alleged ties to terrorism and inadequate security vetting
- Somalia: National security concerns, terrorism, and inadequate information-sharing
- Sudan: Alleged ties to terrorism and inadequate security vetting
- Yemen: Citing national security concerns, terrorism, and inadequate information-sharing
Countries with Partial Travel Restrictions:
- Burundi: Stricter vetting procedures, limited visa approvals, and increased background checks
- Cuba: Partial restrictions due to national security concerns and inadequate information-sharing
- Laos: Stricter vetting procedures and limited visa approvals
- Sierra Leone: National security concerns and inadequate information-sharing
- Togo: Stricter vetting procedures and limited visa approvals
- Turkmenistan: Alleged human rights concerns and inadequate information-sharing
- Venezuela: National security concerns, inadequate information-sharing, and alleged ties to terrorism
Rationale Behind the Travel Ban
The Trump administration claims that these countries pose security risks due to alleged ties to terrorism, inadequate information-sharing, and high rates of visa overstays. Trump stated that the countries subject to the most severe restrictions were determined to harbor a “large-scale presence of terrorists,” fail to cooperate on visa security, and have an inability to verify travelers’ identities.
Effective Date and Exemptions
The travel ban takes effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM EDT. Some exemptions include:
- Athletes: Travelling for major sporting events like the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics
- Special Visa Holders: Holders of immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran, Afghan nationals holding Special Immigrant Visas
- Lawful Permanent Residents: Any lawful permanent resident of the US
- Dual Nationals: Dual nationals who have citizenship in countries not included in the travel ban
- Case-by-Case Exemptions: The Secretary of State may grant exemptions if “the individual would serve a United States national interest”
Criticism from Human Rights Groups
Amnesty International USA described the ban as “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel”, emphasizing that such policies only serve to further isolate the US on the world stage. This sentiment echoes the reactions to Trump’s 2017 travel ban, commonly referred to as the “Muslim ban”, which targeted seven Muslim-majority countries and faced significant legal challenges before being upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018.
Reactions from Affected Countries
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello warned that “being in the United States is a great risk for anyone, not just for Venezuelans”. Similarly, Somali ambassador to the US, Dahir Hassan Abdi, stated that his country “values its longstanding relationship” with America and is willing to work together to address security issues.