On June 4, former President Donald Trump signed a sweeping proclamation that sharply restricts entry into the United States for foreign nationals from 12 countries, while imposing partial bans on seven others. Justifying the move as a national security measure, Trump stated that individuals from the listed nations pose potential threats to the U.S.—a claim that has already drawn backlash and is expected to spark legal challenges.
This policy marks yet another step in Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown. In recent weeks, the administration ramped up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, brought the refugee resettlement program to a standstill, and unveiled plans to aggressively cancel visas of Chinese students.
In a pre-recorded Oval Office address, Trump referenced a violent attack in Boulder, Colorado, where pro-Jewish demonstrators were assaulted. The alleged assailant, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is an Egyptian national who entered the country on a tourist visa in 2022 and remained illegally after it expired. Interestingly, Egypt is not one of the countries targeted under this latest travel ban.
So, which countries are affected?
Full Entry Bans Apply To:
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Partial Entry Suspensions Apply To:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
A detailed map released alongside the announcement highlights the geographic spread of the impacted countries, many of which have histories of political instability, weak governance, or conflict.
When does the travel ban begin?
The new restrictions are scheduled to take effect on June 9. However, much like previous iterations of similar policies, this one is widely expected to face swift legal opposition and possibly prolonged court battles.
Who is exempt?
Not all travelers from these countries are affected. Exceptions include:
- Those who already hold valid U.S. visas
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
- Certain athletes competing in international sporting events
- Immediate family members of current visa holders
- Select individuals granted exemptions by the administration
How does this compare to Trump’s first travel ban?
The current measure echoes Trump’s controversial first-term travel bans, which largely targeted predominantly Muslim countries. Those bans included restrictions on Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, along with a complete ban on Syrian nationals.
The initial rollout of that ban in 2017 caused widespread confusion and protests at airports across the U.S., as travelers were detained or sent back mid-journey. Multiple federal courts blocked the early versions, citing concerns over religious discrimination and constitutional violations. Eventually, a modified version of the ban was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.
President Joe Biden formally revoked Trump’s travel ban upon taking office in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
Now, with Trump reintroducing similar restrictions, immigration advocates are once again preparing for a legal showdown.
Criticism has already emerged.
Within hours of the announcement, the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP)—which sued Trump over his 2017 ban—denounced the new policy. The group criticized the administration for selectively allowing exceptions for athletes traveling to high-profile global events such as the Olympics or FIFA World Cup, while denying access to individuals who’ve spent months or years navigating U.S. immigration laws.
“Letting in Olympic athletes while slamming the door on families and students who followed every legal process is arbitrary and cruel,” IRAP said in a statement.
The broader implications of this renewed ban remain uncertain. Still, it is clear that debates over immigration, national security, and fairness will once again dominate headlines and courtrooms as the policy takes effect.
