June 5, 2025 – Washington D.C.U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation barring entry to citizens from 12 countries, citing national security and terrorism-related concerns. The directive, part of a broader immigration clampdown during Trump’s second term, takes effect on June 9, 2025.In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump said the restrictions are aimed at preventing potential threats from entering the country. “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” he stated, adding that the list could be expanded based on evolving risks.The countries facing a full entry ban are: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, partial restrictions will apply to travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.The new measures do not revoke visas already issued before the ban goes into effect.The White House cited several criteria behind the decision: failure to cooperate on visa security protocols, insufficient identity verification processes, weak criminal record-keeping, and high visa overstay rates. Trump pointed to a recent incident in Colorado involving a foreign national accused of an attack as further justification.Criticism followed quickly. The African Union expressed concern about the impact on educational, commercial, and diplomatic relations, urging the U.S. to take a more consultative approach. Several affected countries either refrained from comment or called for dialogue to address U.S. concerns.Somalia pledged cooperation with the U.S. to improve security coordination, while Venezuela’s government condemned the move, labeling it a political attack. Others, including Myanmar, have yet to formally respond.The ban is reminiscent of Trump’s earlier policy from his first term, when he imposed entry restrictions on several Muslim-majority countries—a move repealed by his successor in 2021 but later upheld by the Supreme Court.Meanwhile, the latest ban has raised uncertainty for individuals already accepted into U.S. programs. A Myanmar teacher accepted into a State Department exchange initiative described the disruption as disheartening, noting the challenges involved in securing such placements.The order follows a January executive action requiring enhanced vetting procedures for all foreign entrants, and aligns with Trump’s continued emphasis on restrictive immigration measures as part of his national security strategy.The travel ban was first reported by CBS News, with earlier speculation in March suggesting broader restrictions were under review.
