President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a sweeping proclamation that bans or restricts travel into the United States from 19 countries, reviving and expanding a controversial policy from his first term. The administration said the move is aimed at strengthening national security and addressing concerns about countries that fail to meet U.S. standards for identity verification, information sharing, or immigration compliance.
The new travel ban applies to 12 countries whose nationals are now fully restricted from entering the U.S.: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In addition, the proclamation imposes partial restrictions on individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The nature of the partial restrictions varies by country and includes limits on certain visa types or heightened screening procedures.
Exceptions will be made for lawful permanent residents (green card holders), individuals who already hold valid U.S. visas, and those whose entry is deemed to be in the “national interest.”
“President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm,” said White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson in a post on X.
“These commonsense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information,” she added.
Continuation of First-Term Policies
Wednesday’s proclamation marks a sharp return to immigration policies that defined Trump’s first term. One of his earliest acts after taking office in 2017 was issuing a similar travel ban that targeted several Muslim-majority nations, which sparked widespread protests and a flurry of legal challenges. That version of the ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in a 5–4 ruling in 2018 but was rescinded in 2021 by President Joe Biden.
Since returning to the presidency earlier this year, Trump has wasted little time reasserting his hardline immigration agenda. On his first day back in office, he signed an executive order mandating more rigorous vetting procedures for migrants and visitors. His administration has also taken steps to restrict asylum claims at the southern border, tighten visa requirements, and reduce refugee admissions.
National Security Rationale
The administration insists the latest travel ban is not based on religion or ethnicity but instead on specific security criteria. Officials say the listed countries either:
Fail to share adequate information about travelers,
Struggle with document fraud or identification processes, or
Have high rates of visa overstays or individuals who present security threats.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) conducted a review of nearly 200 countries before recommending the restrictions. The agency said countries placed under full or partial bans were given opportunities to improve their compliance but failed to meet U.S. standards.
Political Implications
Trump’s decision to reinstate the travel ban could energize his political base, especially those who view immigration as a top priority. At the same time, it may provoke backlash from Democrats, civil liberties groups, and some in the international community who see the move as unjust and harmful to U.S. diplomacy.
Still, the White House appears committed to this course of action, portraying the policy as a necessary and responsible step in safeguarding the homeland.
“We will always put American safety first,” Jackson said. “These are smart, targeted measures—not blanket bans. We expect every country to meet our security standards.”
