Trump’s New Travel Ban Targets 19 Countries, Citing Security Threats
President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation enforcing strict travel restrictions on 19 countries, citing national security concerns. The latest order, effective June 9, 2025 at 12:01 AM EDT, places full entry bans on nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, and Somalia, among others. Seven other nations — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela — will face partial restrictions.
The White House emphasizes that the move fulfills a campaign promise to protect the U.S. from "dangerous foreign actors." White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson stated that the restrictions are "commonsense" and target countries with deficient vetting systems, high visa overstay rates, or limited cooperation in identity verification. Exceptions are in place for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, and those whose entry aligns with U.S. national interests.
The proclamation was reportedly finalized following a recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, which Trump considered a tipping point. He had been weighing the move since his second-term inauguration and had signed an executive order on his first day in office, directing the identification of countries with inadequate vetting protocols.
The announcement draws sharp criticism from Democrats. Representative Pramila Jayapal denounced it as an expansion of Trump’s previous Muslim ban, calling it divisive. Congressman Don Beyer accused Trump of using "prejudice and bigotry" to drive immigration policy, arguing it undermines U.S. global leadership.
The ban echoes Trump's first-term travel policy, which targeted seven majority-Muslim nations and survived multiple legal challenges before being repealed by President Joe Biden in 2021. Biden labeled that initial policy a "stain on our national conscience."
Countries like Somalia have already responded diplomatically. Somali Ambassador Dahir Hassan Abdi expressed willingness to cooperate with the U.S. to address concerns. Meanwhile, Trump has also moved to restrict foreign student visas at institutions like Harvard, citing the need to admit students who “can love our country.”
The list of banned nations may expand, according to Trump, as "new threats emerge around the world." The administration insists that any country unable to meet screening standards may face future restrictions.
