Trump announces new U.S. travel ban on 12 countries, citing national security risks. Restrictions begin Monday at 12:01 a.m., reviving a first-term policy.
Trump Orders Sweeping Travel Ban on 12 Nations
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning visitors from 12 countries and placing additional restrictions on seven others. The new travel policy will take effect Monday at 12:01 a.m., offering a brief window before implementation to avoid the widespread confusion that followed the 2017 ban.
Countries Affected and Details of the Ban
The newly banned countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Meanwhile, heightened entry restrictions will apply to visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Several of these countries also appeared on Trump’s earlier travel ban list, while others like Haiti are newly added due to increased visa overstays and lack of law enforcement coordination.
Rationale Tied to Visa Overstays and Security Risks
Trump linked the decision to national security concerns and insufficient screening procedures in the affected countries. Referencing a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado—allegedly carried out by an Egyptian national who had overstayed a visa—Trump underscored the threat posed by unregulated migration. Egypt, notably, is not included in the ban. The policy draws heavily from a Homeland Security report analyzing visa overstay rates among tourists, students, and business travelers.
Executive Order Rooted in Security Assessment
The directive stems from an executive order Trump issued on January 20, instructing federal agencies to review foreign attitudes toward the U.S. and assess entry risks from various countries. Based on these findings, the administration concluded that the included nations either lack proper screening systems or have failed to repatriate citizens with expired visas.
Haiti’s Inclusion Highlights Crisis and Policy Shift
Haiti, which avoided Trump’s first-term ban, is now part of the restricted list. The U.S. cited high levels of unauthorized entry and visa overstays. The proclamation noted that 85% of Port-au-Prince is under gang control, making cooperation with Haitian authorities increasingly untenable. Trump emphasized that the country lacks centralized law enforcement systems to guarantee the safe movement of its nationals into the U.S.
Policy Echoes First-Term Travel Ban
Trump’s move revives one of the most controversial actions from his first term—commonly dubbed the “Muslim ban.” Initially targeting seven majority-Muslim countries in 2017, the ban led to chaos at airports and legal challenges. After multiple revisions, a narrowed version was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. The current policy echoes that framework but applies broader criteria focused on national security and visa compliance.
Political and Legal Implications Loom
While Trump’s supporters praise the ban as a firm step toward safeguarding national interests, critics argue it revives discriminatory practices and exacerbates humanitarian crises. With legal and political battles anticipated, the policy is likely to dominate headlines and courtrooms in the coming weeks—especially as Trump continues his campaign for a return to the White House.
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