President Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban impacting 19 countries, marking one of the most significant immigration policy moves of his second term. The executive order, signed on June 4, is set to take effect on June 9 at 12:01 a.m. It imposes a full entry ban on citizens from 12 nations and partial restrictions on seven others.
Full and Partial Bans Detailed
The full travel ban applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. These individuals are barred from entering the U.S. under any visa category, including both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
The seven countries facing partial restrictions are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Citizens from these nations may face bans on tourist and immigrant visas, shortened visa validity, enhanced security screenings, mandatory in-person interviews at an embassy or consulate, and stricter documentation requirements.
Justification and Exceptions
The Trump administration cites national security concerns as the primary reason for the new restrictions. The order points to issues such as unreliable passport authorities, high visa overstay rates, and terrorism links as justification.
Exceptions to the ban include U.S. lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, certain diplomats, family members with verified ties to U.S. citizens, and athletes participating in major international sports events like the 2026 World Cup or 2028 Olympics.
Reactions and Implications
The announcement has sparked backlash from international officials and human rights advocates. Critics argue that the ban is discriminatory and undermines diplomatic ties, particularly targeting African and Muslim-majority nations.
Legal experts suggest that challenges to the new order may be less effective, given the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling upholding a previous version of the travel ban.
The policy is set to be reviewed every 180 days for potential adjustments based on each country’s compliance with U.S. security standards.