Washington D.C. — In a major development reflecting his administration’s renewed focus on national security and immigration control, U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a presidential proclamation that bans the entry of nationals from 12 countries and imposes partial restrictions on seven others, citing serious threats to national security and public safety.
According to the White House, the proclamation is aligned with Executive Order 14161, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”
🚫 Full Entry Ban: 12 Nations
The 12 countries from which all entry—immigrant and nonimmigrant—is now banned are:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
President Trump justified the move by stating that many of these nations either:
- Lack cooperative central authorities (e.g., Taliban-controlled Afghanistan),
- Have unreliable identity management systems, or
- Do not share crucial security and immigration data with the U.S.
⚠️ Partial Visa Restrictions: 7 Countries
Seven other nations face partial limitations on entry, with certain categories of visas restricted:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
These restrictions distinguish between immigrant and nonimmigrant categories, allowing entry under stricter scrutiny or for limited purposes.
🧾 Proclamation Highlights
In the signed document, President Trump recalled his earlier immigration policies, referencing how the Supreme Court upheld similar restrictions during his first term. He stated:
“We must remain vigilant to ensure that aliens approved for admission do not intend to harm Americans or undermine U.S. national interests.”
He emphasized the greater risks associated with immigrant visas, stating that lawful permanent residents (green card holders) are harder to remove if national security concerns arise post-admission.
📉 Citing Country-Specific Failures
- Afghanistan: Controlled by the Taliban; lacks a competent authority for passport verification or document issuance.
- Myanmar: High visa overstay rates—27.07% for B1/B2 visas and 42.17% for student/exchange visas (F, M, J categories). Also criticized for failing to accept deported nationals.
- Iran, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, Yemen: All previously on earlier versions of the “travel ban” list under Trump’s 2017 executive order, now reinstated under expanded justifications.
🎯 Purpose of the Ban
Trump stressed that these bans are not arbitrary but are part of a broader effort to secure cooperation from foreign governments, prevent terrorism, and strengthen U.S. border protocols.
“The United States must not admit individuals about whom we lack sufficient information to assess the risks they pose.”
🔍 Context & Political Backdrop
This proclamation marks a continuation of Trump’s hardline immigration stance as he eyes re-election. It echoes policies from his first administration, including the controversial 2017 “Muslim Ban”, which sparked widespread legal and political backlash.
While the current order incorporates more nuanced criteria, such as overstay rates and vetting capabilities, critics are expected to raise concerns over humanitarian implications and alleged discrimination.
🗓️ What Comes Next?
- Legal challenges from civil rights organizations are likely.
- Visa holders and applicants from affected countries face immediate disruption.
- Bilateral relations with some of the listed nations may experience strain.
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and State Department will begin enforcement and rollout procedures in the coming days.