WASHINGTON, June 4 – In a move that has reignited global controversy, President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping proclamation barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. The decision, announced on June 4, 2025, marks a significant escalation in the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy during Trump’s second term. The directive will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 9.
Framed as a necessary measure to protect national security, Trump described the travel restrictions as a step to prevent “foreign terrorists” and individuals who pose potential threats from crossing U.S. borders. This policy aligns with his broader crackdown on immigration, which has already seen hundreds of suspected gang members deported, especially to nations like El Salvador and Venezuela, and restrictions imposed on international students.
Countries Targeted and Restrictions Imposed
The new ban specifically targets travelers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. These countries now face a complete halt on entry into the United States. Additionally, travelers from seven more nations — including Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela — will face partial restrictions, though the nature of these limitations has not been fully detailed.
Trump, in a video message shared on the platform X (formerly Twitter), emphasized, “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm.” He also warned that the list of banned countries could be expanded in the future depending on evolving threats or diplomatic conditions.
The order states that individuals who received visas before the June 9 cutoff will still be allowed entry. However, all future applications from citizens of the listed countries will be either suspended or heavily restricted.
The administration claims that the nations listed were selected based on a failure to meet U.S. security standards, including lack of cooperation on identity verification, poor criminal record-keeping systems, and a high incidence of visa overstays.
Diplomatic Fallout and International Backlash
The African Union Commission responded critically to the announcement, expressing concern about the far-reaching consequences of the decision on diplomatic ties, educational opportunities, and trade. In a formal statement, the Commission urged the U.S. to adopt a more collaborative and consultative approach when dealing with international migration and security concerns.
Somalia, one of the countries subjected to the ban, immediately signaled its willingness to cooperate with Washington. Dahir Hassan Abdi, Somalia’s ambassador to the United States, expressed his country’s commitment to maintaining strong ties with Washington and stated that Somalia is open to meaningful discussions to resolve any issues raised.
However, other nations reacted with anger or silence. Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello denounced the U.S. government as fascist and warned Venezuelans against staying in America. He warned that remaining in the U.S. carries significant danger, and said the threat isn’t limited to Venezuelans alone.
There has been no official response from the Taliban-led Afghan administration, nor from Myanmar’s military government, both of which were contacted for comments regarding their citizens’ future travel plans and pending U.S. visa applications.
Dreams and Opportunities at Risk
The ban has left thousands of people in limbo, especially those with pending visa applications or educational exchange opportunities in the U.S. One 31-year-old teacher from Myanmar, who had been selected for a prestigious exchange program sponsored by the U.S. State Department, expressed deep disappointment.
“Getting into this program required months of effort, including recommendations and interviews,” she said, speaking anonymously due to concerns about jeopardizing her application. “Now it seems like everything could end up being for nothing. I was going to contribute by teaching digital education at U.S. universities. There’s been no communication from the program after the announcement.”
For many in affected countries, the ban is not just a political measure — it’s a disruption of their personal and professional lives, with plans for reunions, education, and employment suddenly thrown into disarray.
Trump Defends His Policy Amid Mounting Criticism
President Trump defended his decision by pointing to recent incidents of violence involving foreign nationals. One such example was a gasoline bomb attack at a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado. Though the suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was an Egyptian national — and Egypt is not on the ban list — Trump used the incident to reinforce his argument for tighter immigration vetting. Authorities later revealed that Soliman had overstayed a tourist visa and was living in the U.S. with an expired work permit.
Trump stated that this is precisely why the U.S. must avoid allowing unrestricted migration from nations where thorough and dependable screening isn’t possible.
This new travel policy echoes Trump’s earlier travel bans during his first term in office, when he targeted several Muslim-majority countries. That policy was widely challenged in court but was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Former President Joe Biden later repealed that order in 2021, describing it as discriminatory and harmful to America’s global image.
Now, with Trump back in office, the travel restrictions appear to be part of a larger initiative to secure American borders and reinforce a hardline immigration stance — a centerpiece of his 2024 re-election campaign. Back in October 2023, Trump had already hinted at these measures, citing threats from regions including Gaza, Syria, and parts of Africa.
An executive order issued earlier this year on January 20 has already intensified background checks and screening for all foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States. The administration claims this is necessary to root out individuals who may pose a danger to national security.