President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries, reviving one of his most controversial immigration policies in the name of national security.
The proclamation, announced Wednesday and set to take effect on June 9, 2025, bars nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the United States.
In addition to these full travel bans, the order also imposes partial restrictions on citizens from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
National Security at the Core of New Immigration Restrictions
In a video message posted on X (formerly Twitter), President Trump defended the new measures, stating, “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen.”
The White House justified the decision by citing concerns over terrorism risks, poor cooperation on visa security protocols, unreliable identity verification systems, and high rates of visa overstays. According to administration officials, the countries facing the harshest restrictions were determined to have a “large-scale presence of terrorists” and deficient immigration controls.
Exemptions will apply to certain groups, including athletes traveling for major sporting events, select Afghan nationals, and dual citizens with passports from unaffected nations, according to a report by the BBC.
Travel Ban 2.0: A Return to a Familiar Trump-Era Policy
This latest directive marks a significant escalation in Trump’s ongoing efforts to tighten US immigration policy during his second term. It echoes his controversial 2017 travel ban, which initially targeted seven Muslim-majority nations and was upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018 before being repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Earlier this year, on January 20, President Trump signed an executive order mandating stricter background checks for foreign nationals and directed federal agencies to evaluate countries for potential entry bans based on their vetting procedures.
The administration emphasized that these new restrictions are part of a broader strategy to bolster national security and protect American citizens.
What This Means for US Immigration Policy in 2025
The revival of strict travel bans signals a significant shift in US immigration policy, reflecting President Trump’s hardline stance on border security and foreign entry regulations. As the 2025 travel ban takes effect, it is likely to draw both legal challenges and international criticism, much like its predecessor.
For now, individuals from the affected countries are advised to review their travel plans and consult with immigration attorneys regarding their status and possible exemptions.
