| Key Takeaways |
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| The US Travel Ban on 12 Countries takes effect on June 9, 2025. The ban cites terrorism risks, visa overstays, and identity verification failures. Communities with large immigrant populations may face major disruptions. |
A sweeping US travel ban on 12 countries is set to begin on June 9, 2025, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The ban is part of a renewed focus on national security and aims to prevent entry from countries considered high-risk, as confirmed by Whitehouse.gov.
Countries Affected by the Travel Ban
The travel ban to the US ordered by President Trump has been divided into two groups: those facing full travel bans and those facing partial restrictions. The proclamation will take effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT). According to the order, visas granted before this date will remain valid and will not be canceled.
A – Fully Banned Countries
Citizens from these 12 nations will be completely barred from entering the United States:
| Fully Banned Countries |
| Afghanistan |
| Myanmar |
| Chad |
| Republic of the Congo |
| Equatorial Guinea |
| Eritrea |
| Haiti |
| Iran |
| Libya |
| Somalia |
| Sudan |
| Yemen |
These restrictions apply to all visa categories except for limited humanitarian or diplomatic exemptions.
B – Partially Restricted Countries
These 7 countries will face selective and limited entry restrictions for travel to the US:
| Partially Restricted Countries |
| Burundi |
| Cuba |
| Laos |
| Sierra Leone |
| Togo |
| Turkmenistan |
| Venezuela |
Travelers from these nations may still be eligible for certain visas but will face heightened screening or category-specific bans.
Reasons Behind the Ban
President Trump stated that the US travel ban on 12 countries is based on the need to protect national interests. The reasons include:
- Inability to confirm travelers’ identities
- Poor sharing of criminal and terrorist data
- High visa overstay rates
- Links to terrorist activity or regions of conflict
In his words, “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States.”
Criticism and Public Reaction
The travel ban has sparked backlash from immigration advocates, lawmakers, and human rights groups. Critics argue that:
- The policy is discriminatory, especially against certain ethnic or religious groups.
- It will separate families in immigrant-rich communities.
- It undermines the US economy, which depends on immigrant contributions.
Representative Pramila Jayapal called the policy “a discriminatory move that harms communities and our national values.”
This ban follows Trump’s earlier travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries, which were heavily contested and later overturned by President Biden in 2021.
Broader Policy Context
The US travel ban on 12 countries is part of a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which includes:
- Denying asylum claims at the southern US border
- Ending temporary protected status (TPS) for certain nationalities
- Limiting foreign student visas, notably targeting Harvard University
- Requiring social media checks for all visa applicants
Trump linked the urgency of these changes to a recent violent incident in Boulder, Colorado, which he claimed exposed flaws in vetting foreign nationals.
Future of the Travel Ban
The proclamation mentions that the list is not final. Trump stated:
“The list is subject to revisions based on whether material improvements are made. Likewise, new countries could be added as threats emerge.”
This means the number of affected countries may grow or shrink depending on future assessments of risk and cooperation.
Why the travel ban? Any background?
The US travel ban on 12 countries marks a major policy shift with far-reaching consequences for global travel, immigration, and civil liberties. While intended to improve national security, the move raises questions about discrimination, due process, and the human impact on immigrant families and communities across the United States.
The travel ban announced has not been planned in a hurry, since visa-guru.com has already reported it back in March this year. The draft proposal, developed by diplomatic and security officials, at that time outlined a tiered system categorizing countries based on the severity of restrictions. These categories included a “Red List” of countries facing a complete travel ban, an “Orange List” where visa access would be sharply restricted, and a “Yellow List” giving countries a 60-day period to address security concerns before potential restrictions take effect. The current full travel ban on 12 and partially restricted ban on 7 countries seem to be the first phase of the big plan.