WASHINGTON, D.C., June 5: US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a sweeping proclamation banning nationals from 12 countries from entering the United States, citing national security risks and the need to block potential threats from “foreign terrorists.”
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video posted on X, adding that the list could be updated in the future.
The ban, set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on June 9, 2025, is the most extensive immigration restriction of Trump’s second term. It comes alongside other hardline immigration efforts including deportations of suspected Venezuelan gang members and crackdowns on foreign student visas.
The 12 countries whose citizens face full entry bans are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Another seven countries — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela — will face partial restrictions.
Visas issued before the June 9 deadline will remain valid, according to the proclamation.
During his first term, Trump implemented a controversial ban on travelers from several Muslim-majority countries, which was eventually upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. His successor, President Joe Biden, repealed that ban in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
The renewed restrictions, Trump said, target countries that fail to meet U.S. standards for security cooperation, identity verification, and criminal record-sharing. “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,” he stated.
Citing a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado — where an Egyptian national, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, allegedly threw a gasoline bomb into a pro-Israel crowd — Trump argued the need for stronger entry controls. Soliman had overstayed a tourist visa and held an expired work permit. Egypt, notably, is not on the restricted list.
Somalia was quick to respond, with its ambassador to the U.S., Dahir Hassan Abdi, pledging cooperation. “Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised,” Abdi said in a statement.
Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello strongly condemned the move. “The truth is, being in the United States is a big risk for anybody, not just for Venezuelans… They persecute our countrymen, our people for no reason,” he said, calling the U.S. government “fascist.”
There was no immediate response from the Taliban-led Afghan foreign ministry or Myanmar’s military government. The foreign ministries of Pakistan and Laos also remained silent as of Thursday morning, though Pakistan is likely to be impacted due to its role in hosting thousands of Afghans awaiting U.S. resettlement.
Trump had previewed the travel restrictions during a campaign speech in October 2023, pledging to restrict entry from Gaza, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other areas “that threaten our security.”
On January 20, 2025, he signed an executive order instructing cabinet officials to identify nations with inadequate vetting procedures. Wednesday’s proclamation is a direct result of that directive, based on recommendations from intelligence and homeland security agencies.
Reuters reported in March that broader restrictions were being considered for dozens of countries. The current list reflects concerns over terrorism, identity verification failures, poor criminal records tracking, and high visa overstay rates.
Despite criticism from civil liberties groups and some foreign governments, the administration insists the measures are crucial. “It’s about safety, security, and American sovereignty,” a White House official said.
