By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
NEW TRAVEL restrictions blocking entry to the United States from 12 countries will begin on Monday, following a proclamation signed by President Donald Trump.
The executive order revives and extends a controversial policy from his first term, barring or limiting travel from countries deemed to pose high national security risks due to deficient screening and information-sharing systems.
The full ban applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
An additional seven countries face partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Nationals from these nations will be denied permanent immigration and certain temporary visas, including those for tourism and study.
A statement from the White House said the new proclamation is intended “to protect the nation from foreign terrorist and other national security and public safety threats.”
It added that exemptions will remain in place for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, and individuals whose entry supports U.S. interests.
President Trump called the move a necessary step to reinstate what he referred to as the “Trump travel ban,” declaring it essential to prevent the entry of “radical Islamic terrorists” and others deemed a threat.
He stressed the Supreme Court’s earlier ruling that upheld a similar measure, stating that such actions fall “squarely within the scope of presidential authority.”
The administration cited a recent attack in Colorado, allegedly carried out by a foreign national, as underscoring the need for tighter border screening.
Though Egypt—the suspect’s origin—is not on the list, Trump’s team pointed to the case as proof of gaps in immigration vetting processes.
According to the proclamation, the decision follows an extensive review by the Secretary of State and other federal officials.
The countries listed were found to have insufficient identity-management procedures, weak information-sharing practices, or security threats requiring immediate restriction of entry.
The move mirrors Trump’s initial travel ban, issued in 2017, which also faced significant legal pushback. After multiple revisions, the policy was upheld in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling.
Legal analysts now believe the 2025 version stands a stronger chance of surviving court challenges due to its broader scope and procedural backing.
Administration officials argue the restrictions are not permanent and can be lifted once countries comply with U.S. requirements on data-sharing and counterterrorism measures.
For now, the proclamation signals a return to Trump’s hardline immigration stance, with enforcement set to begin within days.
Affected Countries:
1. Afghanistan
2. Myanmar
3. Chad
4. Congo
5. Equatorial Guinea
6. Eritrea
7. Haiti
8. Iran
9. Libya
10. Somalia
11. Sudan
12. Yemen
Other 7 Countries affected by Trump’s new US Partial Travel Ban
1. Burundi
2. Cuba
3. Laos
4. Sierra Leone
5. Togo
6. Turkmenistan
7. Venezuela
