US President Donald Trump has signed a new travel ban targeting 12 countries, reviving a contentious policy from his first term.
The ban, which takes effect on June 9, aims to protect the United States from “foreign terrorists and other national security threats.”
Countries Affected by the Ban:
– Fully Banned Countries:
– African Nations:
– Chad, due to weak traveler vetting systems and security concerns
– Republic of the Congo, citing security concerns and high visa overstay rates
– Equatorial Guinea, due to lack of cooperation in accepting deported nationals
– Eritrea, citing inadequate vetting procedures
– Libya, due to presence of terrorist groups and weak central authority
– Somalia, citing lack of competent central authority and terrorist threats
– Sudan, due to weak vetting systems and security concerns
– Other Countries:
– Afghanistan, due to Taliban control and lack of competent central authority
– Haiti, citing high visa overstay rates and security concerns
– Iran, designated as a state sponsor of terrorism
– Myanmar, citing high visa overstay rates and security concerns
– Yemen, due to weak central authority and presence of terrorist groups
– Countries with Partial Travel Restrictions:
– Burundi, citing high visa overstay rates
– Cuba, citing security concerns and lack of cooperation
– Laos, citing high visa overstay rates
– Sierra Leone, citing weak vetting systems and high visa overstay rates
– Togo, citing high visa overstay rates
– Turkmenistan, citing lack of cooperation and security concerns
– Venezuela, citing security concerns and lack of cooperation
Exceptions to the Ban:
– Athletes participating in the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics
– US lawful permanent residents
– Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country
– Those applying for immediate relative family-based immigrant visas with clear evidence of identity and family relationship