President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping new travel ban blocking entry into the United States from 12 countries, citing national security concerns and the need for stronger vetting processes. Set to take effect on June 9, the order imposes full entry bans on citizens from Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face partial restrictions on both immigrant and select non-immigrant visas.
Trump also warned that Egypt may soon be added to the list after an Egyptian national, accused of overstaying his visa, allegedly firebombed a pro-Israel rally in Colorado. “We don’t want them,” Trump declared in a video statement. “We will not accept migration from any country that cannot reliably screen and vet its citizens.”
The president has directed national security officials, including the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to conduct a thorough review of Egypt’s current vetting procedures before determining whether further action will be taken. He emphasized that recent terror attacks involving visa overstayers have reinforced the need for tightened immigration controls.
According to the White House, countries on the list were chosen due to inadequate data-sharing practices, high visa overstay rates, or failure to meet U.S. security standards. Trump’s administration argues these restrictions are vital to preventing terrorism and safeguarding American communities. The list includes countries where officials say there’s limited cooperation in returning deportable nationals or providing access to criminal records.
Iran, for instance, was cited for its long-standing refusal to accept deported citizens and its role in global terrorism. Eritrea was flagged for unreliable civil documentation, while Somalia was labeled a “safe haven” for terror planning. Haiti was noted for its high visa overstay rates and alleged strain on communities due to illegal migration.
Trump stated that nations could be removed from the list if they improved their screening systems, but also left the door open for expanding the ban if new threats emerge. He named several top officials—Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and CIA Director John Ratcliffe—as key participants in crafting the policy.
As part of the proclamation, Trump included an exemption for athletes and related personnel attending global events like the Olympics and World Cup, anticipating international travel during the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
This new directive echoes Trump’s earlier travel ban targeting several Muslim-majority nations, a controversial move upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Biden reversed that policy in 2021, calling it discriminatory, but Trump insists his actions have always been rooted in national security, not bias.
Trump concluded that America must be cautious when issuing visas, ensuring that all entrants pose no threat to its people, culture, or institutions. He reiterated his belief that effective border control starts with knowing exactly who is being allowed in—and why.