What We Know About Trump’s Latest Travel Ban.
President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order reinstating a broad travel ban affecting nearly 20 countries, citing national security concerns. The White House announced the move late Sunday, saying it was necessary to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.”
This marks the second time Trump has implemented such restrictions during his time in office — the first occurring in 2017 during his initial term.
Which Countries Are Affected?
The new proclamation bars nationals from 12 countries from entering the United States:
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Afghanistan
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Myanmar
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Chad
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Congo-Brazzaville
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Haiti
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Iran
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Libya
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Somalia
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Sudan
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Yemen
In addition, seven other countries will face partial travel restrictions:
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Burundi
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Cuba
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Laos
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Sierra Leone
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Togo
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Turkmenistan
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Venezuela
The ban takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m. (05:01 BST), a move the administration says is meant to avoid the airport chaos that erupted during Trump’s 2017 travel ban rollout. No official end date has been provided; the order will be reviewed periodically.
Why Was the Ban Announced?
The White House called the new restrictions “common sense” and designed to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.”
In a video posted to his Truth Social account, Trump pointed to a recent alleged terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, as justification for the new restrictions. In that incident, 12 people were injured after an Egyptian national reportedly attacked a group supporting Israeli hostages, using two incendiary devices and a makeshift flamethrower.
Despite that attack, Egypt is not on the list of banned countries. Trump has previously referred to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi as his “favourite dictator,” underscoring the administration’s selective application of its national security standards.
Who Is Exempt?
The order includes several notable exemptions, allowing certain individuals from the banned countries to still enter the U.S.:
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Athletes traveling for events like the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics
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Iranian minority groups with immigrant visas due to religious or ethnic persecution
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Afghan nationals holding Special Immigrant Visas
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U.S. lawful permanent residents
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Dual nationals who also hold citizenship from a non-restricted country
The Secretary of State may also grant individual exemptions on a case-by-case basis if the traveler is deemed to serve the “national interest.”
Reaction to the Ban
The move has triggered sharp backlash both domestically and abroad.
Somalia’s ambassador to the U.S., Dahir Hassan Abdi, expressed disappointment but said the country would continue working with the U.S. to resolve any security concerns. Venezuela’s Interior Minister, Diosdado Cabello, warned that “being in the United States is a great risk for anyone, not just for Venezuelans.”
Democratic lawmakers also condemned the ban. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said the new order “will only further isolate us on the world stage,” calling it an expanded version of Trump’s original “Muslim ban.” Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) accused Trump of betraying the ideals of America’s founders.
Human rights organizations have also voiced strong opposition. Amnesty International USA described the move as “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel.” Human Rights First called it “yet another anti-immigrant and punitive action” from the Trump administration.
A Troubling Echo of the Past
Trump’s original 2017 travel ban, which targeted predominantly Muslim-majority nations, faced immediate legal challenges and nationwide protests. Although the list was eventually revised and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018, it was widely criticized as xenophobic.
President Joe Biden repealed that order in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”
Despite warnings from diplomats, human rights groups, and members of Congress, Trump’s new travel ban pushes the country back toward isolationism and exclusion. While framed as a matter of security, the selective nature of the ban — and its familiar echoes of past discriminatory policies — makes it hard to see this move as anything but politically motivated. It’s a deeply troubling step backward for a nation that once prided itself on welcoming people from around the world.
