Mirror Review
June 5th, 2026
On June 4, 2025, the Trump administration issued a significant proclamation, a new Trump travel ban, which restricted entrance into the United States for people of 12 nations.
This measure, designed to safeguard the United States from national security and public safety dangers, was followed by a report from the Secretary of State.
This article explains out the essential features of Trump’s latest travel ban with all you need to know.
- What Happened?
President Trump signed a proclamation titled “Restricting The Entry Of Foreign Nationals To Protect The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats.”
- Countries Affected:
The US travel ban applies to nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- Why the Ban?
The administration’s major purpose is to safeguard Americans from people who may seek to commit terrorist activities, endanger national security, promote hateful ideologies, or misuse immigration laws.
The reasons for including specific countries range from high visa overstay rates and a lack of cooperation in accepting deportees to fears of terrorism and insufficient information sharing.
- Who Does it Affect?
The proclamation fully restricts and limits the entry of both immigrants and nonimmigrants from the listed nations.
- Are There Exceptions?
Yes, the restrictions are subject to categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers.
Understanding the New Trump Travel Ban
The recent proclamation on trump travel restrictions is rooted in a policy to enhance the security of the U.S. immigration system. Furthermore,the administration says tougher screening is necessary to keep the country safe.
According to the official release, “it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten national security, espouse hateful ideology, or exploit immigration laws for malevolent purposes”.
Which 12 Countries Are Banned by Trump?
The proclamation lists the 12 nations that Trump has banned, along with the particular reasons why.
- Afghanistan:
High visa overstay rates (e.g., 9.70% for B-1/B-2 visas in FY2023), Taliban control, the absence of a capable central authority for issuing trustworthy documents, and insufficient screening procedures are among the issues.
- Burma:
Burma is flagged for having a very high overstay rate (over 27% for tourist/business visas in 2023) and a history of not cooperating in accepting back its nationals who are removable from the U.S.
- Chad:
Chad faces one of the highest visa overstay rates—nearly 49.54% for B-1/B-2 visas in 2023—prompting restrictions under the claim of “unacceptably high” noncompliance.
- Republic of the Congo:
Included due to high visa overstay rates, such as 29.63% for B-1/B-2 visas in FY2023.
- Equatorial Guinea:
High visa overstay rates were a key factor, with 70.18% for F, M, and J visas in FY2023.
- Eritrea:
While specific details for Eritrea were not fully outlined in the available summary of the proclamation, it was included based on the overall assessment of security risks and vetting capabilities.
- Haiti:
Reasons include increased overstay rates, the establishment of criminal networks, other national security threats, and the lack of a central authority with sufficient law enforcement information.
- Iran:
Designated as a state sponsor of terrorism, Iran “regularly fails to cooperate in identifying security risks” and is a source of “significant terrorism”. It has also historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.
- Libya:
The absence of a “competent or cooperative central authority for issuing documents” and a “historical terrorist presence” led to its inclusion.
- Somalia:
Cited for lacking a competent central authority for documents, inadequate screening, the government’s lack of control over its territory, a “persistent terrorist threat”, and being identified as a terrorist safe haven. Somalia has also historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.
- Sudan:
Reasons include the lack of a competent central authority for documents, inadequate screening, and high visa overstay rates (e.g., 26.30% for B-1/B-2 visas in FY2023).
- Yemen:
Included due to the lack of a competent central authority for documents, inadequate screening, the government not having physical control over its territory, and being the site of active U.S. military operations since January 20, 2025.
Basis for the Restrictions
According to the proclamation, the limitations are determined by evaluating each nation’s screening and vetting capacities, information-sharing procedures with the United States, risk factors unique to that nation (such as the presence of terrorists and the rate of visa overstays), and cooperation in repatriating their citizens who are subject to deportation from the United States.
The President stated that, without these measures, the entry of individuals from these 12 countries banned by Trump would be “detrimental to the interests of the United States”.
What are the Possible Impacts on Travel Plans for the 12 Countries
- Tourism and Business Travel:
People from these countries will find it nearly impossible to get tourist or business visas (B-1/B-2). That means no vacations, no business meetings—travel for these reasons is pretty much off the table.
- Family Reunification:
Immigrant visa processes for family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents will become considerably more difficult. This may prolong separations and cause distress among families.
- Students and Exchange Visitors:
Individuals seeking to pursue education (F visas) or participate in exchange programs (J visas) will likely find their opportunities limited. U.S. officials are especially cautious due to past issues with visa overstays.
- Professional and Skilled Workers:
Getting a U.S. work visa (like an H-1B) will be extremely tough. So, skilled workers and professionals from these countries may lose out on job opportunities in the U.S.
- Humanitarian Cases:
There’s talk of case-by-case waivers for emergencies or extreme cases, but these will be rare. Even people needing urgent help, like seeking medical treatment or fleeing persecution, might not get through.
- Increased Scrutiny and Delays:
Even if someone qualifies for an exception, the process will be slow and stressful, creating uncertainty and frustration. Expect long waits, tons of paperwork, and tough interviews.
The bottom Line is that this travel ban puts up serious walls. For most people from these 12 countries, traveling to the U.S., for any reason — will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the foreseeable future.
Conclusion
This new travel ban introduced by Trump is a bold move that changes how the U.S. approaches immigration from these 12 countries.
For people living in or connected to these nations, the road to entering the U.S. just got much harder.
While the administration says it’s about keeping the country safe, there are still a lot of questions about how this Trump travel ban will play out.
The waiver option might offer some relief, but for now, it’s clear that these Trump travel restrictions are going to have real consequences for many families and communities.
