President Trump asserts the measures are in place to shield the nation from “foreign terrorists.”
Citing national security concerns, U.S. President Donald Trump has prohibited citizens of a dozen nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen, from entering the United States. The proclamation, signed by Trump on Wednesday, also places travel limitations on citizens from seven more countries, including Cuba and Venezuela.
The document refers to “aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”
Beginning June 9, a complete travel ban will be in effect for citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Partial restrictions will apply to travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The rationale for the list includes countries allegedly harboring terrorist organizations, failing to cooperate on security issues, having high rates of visa overstays, or refusing to accept deported individuals.
Exemptions will be granted to lawful permanent US residents, dual citizens, diplomats, athletes and their families attending major sporting events, and those with family or adoption immigrant visas. Additional exemptions include Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas—typically granted to those who assisted the U.S. military—and Iranians already possessing visas or belonging to religious or ethnic minorities considered persecuted by the U.S.
The document identifies Iran and Cuba as “state sponsors of terrorism,” accusing them of non-cooperation with the U.S. on security matters. Venezuela faces sanctions for alleged election manipulation and is accused of lacking a capable passport authority and screening procedures.
Human rights organizations and foreign governments have criticized the legislation, deeming it discriminatory and politically motivated.
Trump referenced the Boulder, Colorado attack on Sunday, where Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman allegedly used a gasoline bomb against pro-Israel protestors, as justification for the new restrictions. He noted that Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa and held an expired work permit.
Trump implemented a similar travel ban in 2017 during his first presidential term. It faced legal challenges and underwent several revisions before President Joe Biden rescinded it in 2021.
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