Washington: On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a new travel ban targeting nationals from 12 countries, citing concerns related to national security. The proclamation, set to take effect from June 9, 2025, aims to prevent entry into the United States of individuals who might pose a threat, particularly those linked to terrorism and other security risks.

The ban imposes a full entry prohibition on citizens from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Nationals from these countries will be entirely barred from entering the U.S. under this new directive.

In addition to the full ban, several other countries face partial travel restrictions. These limitations affect immigrant entries as well as certain non-immigrant visa categories including business, tourist, student, and exchange visitor visas. The countries under partial restrictions include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

However, the proclamation outlines several exemptions. Lawful permanent residents of the United States, dual nationals, and diplomats traveling on valid non-immigrant visas are excluded from the ban. Furthermore, specific groups such as athletes and their immediate families traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup or Olympics are allowed entry. Other exemptions cover immediate family immigrant visas, adoption-related travel, Afghan Special Immigrant Visas, special immigrant visas for U.S. government employees, and immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities persecuted in Iran.

The restrictions apply only to foreign nationals who are outside the United States as of June 9, 2025, and who do not possess a valid visa on that date. Importantly, visas issued prior to June 9 will not be revoked under this proclamation. This travel ban follows an earlier directive from January 2025, which called for federal agencies to reassess and strengthen national security and public safety protocols related to immigration.

Reactions to the ban have been mixed. Officials from some affected countries, such as Somalia, have expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the U.S. government to address security concerns. In contrast, Venezuelan authorities have harshly condemned the measure, denouncing the U.S. administration as “fascist.” The announcement has also raised concerns among human rights advocates and immigration experts who fear the policy could further strain diplomatic relations and impact vulnerable populations.

This new travel ban marks a notable shift in U.S. immigration policy, recalling similar bans enacted during President Trump’s previous term. Those earlier restrictions faced numerous legal challenges and were ultimately rescinded by the Biden administration. Given this history, the current proclamation is expected to provoke legal debates and diplomatic responses in the coming months.