Trump Announces Travel Ban on 12 Nations, Imposes Additional Restrictions on 7 Others

In a sweeping move following a recent incident in Colorado involving an Egyptian national accused of firebombing pro-Israel demonstrators, former President Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban affecting 12 countries, with additional visa restrictions imposed on seven more. The ban is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday.

According to a White House statement, the proclamation "fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 12 countries found to be deficient in screening and vetting procedures and determined to pose a very high risk to the United States."

The 12 countries facing a full entry ban are:

1. Afghanistan
2. Myanmar
3. Chad
4. Republic of the Congo
5. Equatorial Guinea
6. Eritrea
7. Haiti
8. Iran
9. Libya
10. Somalia
11. Sudan
12. Yemen

Justifications vary: Eritrea has a tourist visa overstay rate exceeding 20%, Iran is designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, Afghanistan lacks effective screening systems, and Libya is cited for its inability to maintain a functioning government, creating national security concerns.

In addition to the outright bans, partial restrictions are being implemented for nationals from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These include limitations on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, such as B-1 (business), B-2 (tourist), F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange visitor) categories. The restrictions are largely due to high visa overstay rates and inadequate cooperation with U.S. law enforcement.

Defending the decision, Trump said, “I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.” The White House added that countries may have restrictions eased if they improve their screening and information-sharing standards.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson stated, “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm.”

However, critics argue that the new travel order disproportionately targets African and Muslim-majority nations, drawing comparisons to Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban. Civil rights groups and immigration advocates warn that legal challenges are likely to follow.

In the official proclamation, Trump pointed to multiple recent incidents involving foreign nationals overstaying visas, stating, “There has been one terror attack after another carried out by foreign visa stayers.” The move represents a significant tightening of U.S. immigration policy, signaling a return to the hardline stance that characterized much of Trump’s first term.

The new travel restrictions are expected to have broad implications for international travel, education, family reunification, and business ties with the affected nations.

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