Travel restrictions against 12 specified countries take force as per Trump's latest executive order
Donald Trump's Latest Travel Ban: A Breakdown
The travel restrictions declared by former US President Donald Trump on June 9, 2025, have come into force. According to a White House statement, this ban has been initiated since 00:01 local time and 06:01 CEST on the same day.
This ban applies to nationals hailing from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens from seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela – can only enter the US under specific conditions.
Human rights organizations have heavily criticized this travel ban. For instance, Amnesty International described it as "bigoted, xenophobic, and downright mean" on the X platform.
The regulation features exemptions as well. For example, people with a permanent US residence permit ("Green Card"), dual nationals carrying a passport from an unaffected nation, or certain family members of US citizens are all eligible. Additionally, diplomats, participants in international sporting events, recognized refugees, and Afghan local employees with special visas are excluded from the ban.
Looking Back: Trump's "Muslim Ban" During His First Term
During his first term (2017-2021), Trump issued a controversial travel ban, often referred to as the "Muslim Ban." Initially, this ban barred refugees and citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries – including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen – from entering the US. Iraq was later removed from the list.
The measure was put into effect without warning, leading to chaotic situations at international airports. Even those with valid residence permits were initially detained or sent back. The "Muslim Ban" caused significant strain in relations with the affected countries, separated families, and left many in a state of limbo. A powerful counter-movement quickly sprung up. Following massive protests and legal battles, the Trump administration revised the rules.
Relevance of Enrichment Data
The ban affects 19 countries, with 12 nations facing a complete visa ban. Afghanistan is among the 12 countries with full restrictions due to ongoing security concerns, such as Taliban control and insufficient screening and vetting measures. Seven other countries face partial restrictions, which may include specific visa types or additional vetting requirements.
The ban utilizes sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, akin to previous travel bans. It doesn't incorporate a waiver process for immediate humanitarian cases, potentially causing separations. The policy builds on earlier travel bans, using updated global screening and security risk assessments.
People with valid visas inside the US prior to June 9, 2025, are unaffected by the new ban, as their visas remain valid. Specific visa categories might be allowed, depending on the country's restrictions.
In essence, this travel ban is part of a broader initiative to bolster national security and public safety by limiting entry from countries with inadequate vetting procedures or substantial security risks.
- Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding travel restrictions, the new ban announced by Donald Trump in 2025 not only includes nations affected by his earlier "Muslim Ban" during his first term, but also extends to other countries like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, and others.
- Amid the unfolding politics of war-and-conflicts, general-news outlets, crime-and-justice sections, and human rights organizations intensely scrutinize Trump's travel bans, criticizing them as potentially discriminatory, causing family separations, and straining international relations.
