‎Trump revives travel ban, blocking entry from 12 countries over security threats

‎President Donald Trump has reinstated a sweeping travel ban, preventing individuals from 12 countries from entering the United States. The proclamation, signed Wednesday night, will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Monday. Affected nations include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

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‎President Donald Trump speaks during a summer soiree on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in Washington.

‎AP Photo/Alex Brandon

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‎The measure follows a January 20 executive order that directed the Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to assess which countries pose potential national security risks based on "hostile attitudes" toward the U.S. The findings informed the final list of countries subject to restrictions.

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‎Additional limitations will also be imposed on visitors from seven more countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These restrictions stop short of a full ban but significantly tighten visa and entry procedures.

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‎Citing a duty to safeguard the nation, Trump declared in his proclamation, “I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.”

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‎This renewed travel policy mirrors Trump’s earlier controversial action in 2017, which initially blocked travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries. That executive order sparked widespread confusion and protests, as travelers—many with legal visas—were denied boarding or detained upon arrival in the U.S.

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‎Although restructured multiple times following court challenges, the travel ban was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The current iteration expands on the previous framework, again igniting debates over civil liberties, immigration policy, and national security.

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‎Trump maintains the directive is grounded in protecting Americans, despite ongoing criticism over perceived religious and racial bias. His administration insists the policy is driven strictly by security evaluations rather than ethnicity or religion.