Washington, D.C. – On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation. imposing a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, citing national security and public safety concerns. The move, effective June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT.
Fully restricts entry for citizens of certain countries. Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Partial restrictions apply to nationals from Burundi, Cuba, and Laos. Nationals from Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, affecting certain visa categories like tourism and student visas.
The decision follows Executive Order 14161. it was signed on January 20, 2025, directing cabinet members to assess countries with deficient vetting and screening processes. Trump emphasized the need to protect the U.S. from terrorism, pointing to a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, by an Egyptian national who overstayed his visa. “We can’t allow those who wish to harm us to enter,” Trump stated in a White House video.
Exemptions include lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, and specific categories like diplomats and athletes. Critics, including Amnesty International USA, condemned the ban as “discriminatory” and “cruel,” predicting legal challenges. The proclamation allows for revisions if countries improve cooperation, but new nations are added as threats emerge.
