WASHINGTON — On June 9, 2025, the United States implemented a comprehensive travel ban targeting nationals from 12 countries, alongside partial visa restrictions for seven additional nations. The measure, introduced by President Donald Trump, is framed as a national security initiative aimed at bolstering immigration controls and mitigating potential threats.
The full travel ban applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Individuals from these countries are barred from entering the U.S. under both immigrant and non-immigrant visa categories. Partial restrictions affect nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, limiting access to specific visa types, including tourist and student visas .
The proclamation, titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” was signed on June 4 and took effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 9. It invokes Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, granting the president authority to suspend entry of foreign nationals deemed detrimental to U.S. interests .
According to the administration, the affected countries were identified based on deficiencies in information sharing, inadequate screening and vetting procedures, high rates of visa overstays, and failure to cooperate with U.S. security protocols. President Trump emphasized the necessity of the ban, stating, “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States” .
While the ban is comprehensive, certain exemptions are in place. Lawful permanent residents, individuals holding valid visas issued before June 9, dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-restricted country, and those whose entry is deemed in the national interest may still be admitted. Additionally, specific categories such as athletes participating in major sporting events and immediate family members of U.S. citizens with verified relationships are exempted .
The policy has elicited strong reactions domestically and internationally. Human rights organizations have criticized the ban, arguing it disproportionately affects vulnerable populations and undermines humanitarian principles. Tanya Greene, U.S. Program Director at Human Rights Watch, commented, “The travel ban announced by the U.S. administration yesterday will harm immigrant families intending reunification, students, workers, and many others. The rationale appears to be arbitrary, spurious, inconsistent, and, as with the ‘Muslim ban’ under the first Trump administration, race-oriented” .
Legal experts anticipate challenges to the proclamation, drawing parallels to the 2017 travel ban that faced extensive litigation before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Jeff Joseph, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, noted, “Absolutely, the administration is trying to avoid the problems that they had with the first proclamation,” but added that lawsuits are “going to come anyway” .
The international community has also expressed concern. Diplomatic tensions have risen, with some countries on the list condemning the abrupt implementation and lack of consultation. The African Union criticized the ban’s impact on U.S.-Africa relations, warning it could hinder academic collaborations and campus diversity .
As the policy takes effect, its long-term implications on immigration, international relations, and the U.S.’s global standing remain to be seen. Observers will closely monitor legal proceedings and diplomatic responses in the coming weeks.