In a major escalation of his second-term immigration agenda, President Donald Trump (Trump Reinstates) has reinstated a broad travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, citing national security and anti-terrorism concerns. The directive, issued Wednesday via presidential proclamation, is set to take effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM EDT.
Full Travel Ban Nations:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Partial Restrictions Imposed On:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Trump’s Justification:
In a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Trump (Trump Reinstates) declared:
“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm… We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet those who seek to enter the United States.”
He emphasized that the list was compiled based on:
- Alleged terrorist presence
- Lack of cooperation with U.S. visa vetting protocols
- Poor identity verification systems
- Weak criminal record-keeping
- High rates of visa overstays
The President cited the recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, as a justification—where an Egyptian national overstaying his visa allegedly injured eight people during a pro-Israel rally.
Notably, Egypt is not on the banned list, despite being linked to that incident.
Echoes of the First Travel Ban:
This move revives echoes of Trump’s controversial 2017 “Muslim ban”, which barred travelers from seven Muslim-majority nations and was later upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Joe Biden repealed that policy in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
Now, in a sharp reversal, Trump’s new ban expands the scope beyond religion to include broader geopolitical and security concerns.
Global Reactions:
- Somalia responded diplomatically, offering to collaborate with the U.S. to address security gaps.
- Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello slammed the move as “fascist” and warned citizens that being in the U.S. posed a “big risk.”
- Myanmar and Afghanistan have not yet formally responded, though Afghan refugees in Pakistan awaiting U.S. resettlement now face extreme uncertainty.
One aspiring Myanmar educator hoping to participate in a U.S. State Department exchange program said:
“It is not easy to get accepted… I haven’t received any update after the announcement.”
Impact and Implications:
- Visas issued before June 9 will remain valid.
- Thousands of students, refugees, and professionals could see plans upended.
- Critics fear the move will deepen anti-immigrant sentiment, while supporters hail it as a vital national security measure.
With Trump doubling down on hardline immigration policy heading into the latter half of his presidency, this proclamation is expected to set the tone for tighter borders, enhanced vetting, and expanded deportations—all themes he has consistently championed.
Looking Ahead:
Expect legal challenges, diplomatic fallout, and increased scrutiny on U.S. visa policy and refugee programs. Whether this strategy will improve domestic security or inflame international tensions remains to be seen.
Source: Reuters
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