MWE Correspondent
U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation that restricts entry into the United States for nationals of 12 countries, citing national security concerns and the threat of foreign terrorism.
The ban, which takes effect on June 9, 2025, blocks citizens from entering the U.S. if they are from countries that, according to the proclamation, have not met certain security and information-sharing criteria. The countries facing a full entry ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In addition, partial restrictions have been placed on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, mostly affecting certain visa types such as immigrant or business travel.
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” President Trump said in a brief video posted on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that the list could be updated at any time, depending on global security developments or cooperation from the affected countries.
According to the official order, any visa issued before the June 9 effective date will remain valid and will not be revoked. However, new applications will be affected unless exemptions are granted.
This latest executive action draws parallels to Trump’s earlier travel ban introduced in 2017, commonly referred to as the “Muslim Ban”. That order initially restricted travel from several Muslim-majority countries and went through multiple legal battles before it was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.
The travel restrictions were first reported by CBS News, and since then, reactions have been swift and divided.
Human rights organizations and immigration advocates argue that such a sweeping ban may unfairly target populations based on national origin or religion. On the other hand, supporters of the move say it is a necessary step in protecting the country’s borders and ensuring proper vetting procedures are in place.
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While the Trump administration insists the ban is rooted in security data and not discrimination, critics point out that many of the countries on the list face long-standing internal conflicts, weak governance, or strained diplomatic ties with Washington — factors that may complicate compliance with U.S. security standards.
Countries like Somalia have already called for diplomatic dialogue to resolve the issue, while Venezuela has denounced the move as politically motivated.
The Biden administration had repealed Trump’s original travel ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” This latest proclamation signals a return to some of the former president’s controversial immigration policies, particularly as he gears up for a potential second term in office.
Legal challenges to the renewed ban are expected in the coming weeks, with advocacy groups preparing to take the matter to court. In the meantime, travelers from the listed nations are urged to seek guidance from the U.S. State Department and immigration attorneys.
