Trump Reinstates Travel Ban and Restrictions Affecting Nearly 20 Countries

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reintroducing a travel ban targeting citizens from a number of countries, reviving one of the most polarizing policies of his first term. The move is being presented as part of a broader national security agenda and takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m. ET, June 9, providing a short lead time to avoid the confusion that accompanied the 2017 ban.

Countries Under Full or Partial Restrictions

• Full Ban (12 countries):
  Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen.
  
• Partial Restrictions (7 countries):
  Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela.

This list includes several nations previously targeted in Trump’s first term, but also adds new ones, such as Haiti and Afghanistan, which are raising fresh controversy.

Justification and Security Concerns

According to the proclamation and supporting White House communications:

• The affected countries were deemed to have:
  • “Deficient” identity-screening and vetting protocols.
  • High visa overstay rates for tourists, business travelers, and students.
  • Inability or unwillingness to repatriate their own citizens.
• The Department of Homeland Security’s annual visa overstay report played a central role in selecting these countries.

“I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump stated.

The policy stems from a January 20 executive order directing U.S. national security agencies to assess nations that may pose “hostile attitudes” or insufficient cooperation in vetting travelers.

Boulder Attack as Catalyst

Trump also publicly tied the travel ban’s urgency to the recent antisemitic terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. The assailant—reportedly from Egypt, a country not included in the ban—was accused of overstaying a tourist visa. The president emphasized the danger of weak visa enforcement and used the case to justify broader action.

What Should Impacted Immigrants Do?

This news is just breaking, and many more details will be revealed in the coming days. What is known so far is that the full ban covers all visas, while the partial ban covers B, F, M, and J visas, indicating that nationals covered by a partial ban should still remain eligible for work visas like the O-1 and H-1B.

Nicole Gunara, Manifest Law’s Principal Attorney, says: “It’s important to emphasize the June 9th effective date. If you are from one of the impacted countries on this list, have a valid visa, and need to be in the United States, come back before June 9th now. Students should also stay in touch with their international students’ office for any updates and to start preparing ahead of time for a scenario where they cannot enter. The sooner you prepare, the better. For those whose countries have exceptions, consider talking to legal counsel to determine any alternative visas that may be exempted from the ban.”

Senior Counsel Henry Lindpere added: “The proclamation also mentions exceptions for certain existing visa holders or those whose work would be in the national interest. There will likely be a process for obtaining National Interest Exemptions (NIEs) similar to those that were issued during the COVID-19 travel ban, i.e. people working in strategically important industries will still get visas, but we do not know exactly what jobs or industries this administration will consider most vital. Another key point is that the proclamation only suspends admissions. It does not say anything about people already here extending their lawful status with USCIS. Thus, the safest thing to do would be to return before June 9th.“

Exceptions and Implications for Refugees and Immigrants

The ban includes exceptions for:

• Lawful permanent residents.
• Individuals with certain current, valid visas.
• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders (especially relevant to Afghanistan).
• Entrants deemed to serve “national interests.”

However, humanitarian groups are warning that the consequences could be devastating:

• Afghanistan, which saw over 14,000 refugees resettled in the U.S. in the past year, is now restricted, except for SIV recipients.
• Congo, the largest source of refugees during the same period (~20,000), is now also under a full ban.
• Thousands of refugees have reportedly sold possessions and booked flights, only to be stranded due to policy reversals and refugee program suspensions.

“To include Afghanistan — a nation whose people stood alongside American service members for 20 years — is a moral disgrace,” said Shawn VanDiver, president of #AfghanEvac.

Haiti’s Inclusion and Reactions

Haiti, not included in Trump’s original travel ban, is now blacklisted due to:

• High numbers of illegal entries.
• Rampant gang violence, especially in Port-au-Prince (where gangs control 85% of the capital).
• Lack of a reliable law enforcement authority or document verification system.

Trump wrote that Haiti fails to provide sufficient law enforcement intelligence to ensure its nationals do not pose a security risk to the U.S.

Legal and Political Background

Trump’s original 2017 travel ban targeted predominantly Muslim countries and caused airport chaos, detentions, and international outcry. After several revisions and legal challenges, the Supreme Court upheld a version of the ban in 2018.

While critics often called it a “Muslim ban,” the Trump administration maintained the policy was rooted in national security concerns, not religious discrimination. The new ban is broader and includes both Muslim-majority and non-Muslim nations, potentially to blunt accusations of bias.

Outlook and Future Adjustments

The proclamation allows for periodic reviews of the list, meaning new countries could be added—or removed—based on changes in screening capability or global threat levels.

“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump said in a video statement. “The list is subject to revision as threats emerge.”

Ultimately, for those affected by the travel ban, the most important next step is to act quickly, seek legal guidance, and stay connected with trusted immigration resources—there are still legal pathways and exemptions available, and early preparation can make all the difference.