President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation restricting entry into the United States from 19 countries, sparking controversy and outrage over its implications. The ban, set to take effect on June 9, 2025, affects nationals from these countries differently, with 12 facing full restrictions and 7 facing partial restrictions.
Countries Under Full Travel Ban
- Afghanistan: Nationals of Afghanistan are fully restricted from entering the United States.
- Burma (Myanmar): All immigrants and non-immigrants from Burma are banned.
- Chad: Chad is among the countries with a full suspension of entry.
- Republic of the Congo: Nationals from the Republic of the Congo face full restrictions.
- Equatorial Guinea: Entry of nationals from Equatorial Guinea is fully suspended.
- Eritrea: Eritrean nationals are not allowed to enter the US.
- Haiti: Haiti is included in the full ban due to concerns over security and cooperation.
- Iran: Iranian nationals face full restrictions.
- Libya: All immigrants and non-immigrants from Libya are banned.
- Somalia: Somali nationals are not allowed to enter the US.
- Sudan: Sudanese nationals face full restrictions.
- Yemen: Yemeni nationals are fully restricted.
Countries Under Partial Travel Ban
- Burundi: Burundian nationals face restrictions on certain types of visas.
- Cuba: Cubans are restricted from obtaining tourist and business visas.
- Laos: Laotian nationals face partial restrictions.
- Sierra Leone: Nationals from Sierra Leone are partially restricted.
- Togo: Togolese nationals face partial restrictions.
- Turkmenistan: Nationals from Turkmenistan are partially restricted.
- Venezuela: Venezuelan nationals face restrictions on certain types of visas.
Notable Omissions
Several countries with significant security concerns or strained diplomatic relations with the US are notably absent from the list. These include¹ ²:
- North Korea: Despite having a history of travel restrictions, North Korea is not included in the current ban.
- Syria: Syrian nationals are not mentioned in the latest travel ban.
- Iraq: Iraq is also absent from the list, despite previous travel restrictions.
- Lebanon: Lebanese nationals are not included in the ban.
- Central African Republic: The country is not mentioned in the latest proclamation.
- Belarus: Despite having a Level 4 travel advisory, Belarus is not included in the ban.
- Mali, Burkina Faso, and South Sudan are also not included.
Exemptions and Waivers
Certain individuals are exempt from the travel ban, including³:
- Lawful Permanent Residents: Green card holders are not affected.
- Dual Nationals: Nationals of countries not on the list traveling on a non-designated country’s passport are exempt.
- Specific Visa Holders: Certain visa categories, such as A, G, C, or NATO visas, are exempt.
- Immediate Family Members: Immediate family immigrant visa applicants with verified relationships are allowed entry.
The travel ban has sparked controversy, with critics labeling it a “moral disgrace” and arguing that it unfairly targets certain nationalities and restricts family reunifications. Supporters argue that the ban is necessary for national security and public safety. The ban will be reviewed every 180 days, and countries may be added or removed based on their cooperation with US immigration authorities.
