Trump’s New Immigration Ban: 12 Countries Face Full Entry Suspension

President Donald J. Trump has issued a proclamation that significantly restricts entry into the United States for nationals of 12 countries, citing national security and public safety concerns.

Effective June 9, 2025, the policy fully suspends both immigrant and nonimmigrant entry from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

Additionally, partial restrictions apply to nationals from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The proclamation, rooted in Executive Order 14161, aims to address deficiencies in foreign governments’ screening, vetting, and information-sharing practices, which the administration deems critical to preventing terrorism and other threats.

Why the Restrictions?

The proclamation highlights that the listed countries have inadequate identity management or information-sharing protocols, posing risks to U.S. security. For instance, Afghanistan, controlled by the Taliban, a designated terrorist group, lacks a cooperative central authority for issuing reliable passports or civil documents.

Similarly, Haiti’s high visa overstay rates and lack of law enforcement data sharing contribute to concerns about criminal networks. Iran, labeled a state sponsor of terrorism, and Somalia, identified as a terrorist safe haven, face full suspensions due to their governments’ failure to provide sufficient security information.

The administration also points to high visa overstay rates, such as Chad’s 49.54% for business/tourist visas in 2023, as evidence of disregard for U.S. immigration laws. These measures aim to encourage foreign governments to improve cooperation with U.S. authorities.

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Partial Restrictions and Exceptions

For the seven countries under partial suspension, entry is restricted for immigrants and nonimmigrants holding specific visas, such as business, tourist, student, and exchange visitor categories. Consular officers are directed to reduce the validity period of other nonimmigrant visas for these nationals.

Exceptions to the restrictions include lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on passports from non-designated countries, and certain visa holders like diplomats or those attending major sporting events.

Special provisions also allow entry for immediate family members with verified identities, adoptions, and specific groups like Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders or persecuted minorities from Iran. The Attorney General or Secretary of State may grant case-by-case waivers for individuals whose travel serves critical U.S. interests.

Did You Know?
The U.S. visa overstay rate for some countries, like Equatorial Guinea, reached as high as 70.18% for student and exchange visas in 2023, highlighting significant challenges in immigration enforcement.

Implementation and Future Adjustments

The proclamation mandates ongoing assessments to determine whether suspensions should continue, be modified, or be terminated. Within 90 days, and every 180 days thereafter, the Secretary of State, in consultation with other officials, will report to the President on the effectiveness of these measures.

The administration is also engaging with affected countries to improve their vetting and information-sharing practices. Notably, Egypt’s screening procedures are currently under review because of recent regional developments; however, details about the review remain classified to protect national security.

The proclamation ensures that existing visas will not be revoked and does not affect those already granted asylum or refugee status in the U.S.