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-Editorial
President Donald Trump signed a new presidential proclamation reinstating travel restrictions on nationals from 19 countries, citing national security and public safety concerns. The action follows Executive Order 14161, issued on January 20, 2025, which directed federal agencies to evaluate the security risks associated with foreign travelers.
The proclamation imposes full entry suspensions on 12 countries and partial restrictions on 7 others. The administration cited issues such as inadequate vetting systems, high visa overstay rates, state-sponsored terrorism, and lack of cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities as reasons for the decision.
The proclamation enforces complete travel bans on nationals from the following 12 countries:
Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
According to U.S. officials, these nations were determined to have significant deficiencies in identity verification, information sharing, and screening procedures. In many cases, the countries also registered high visa overstay rates, lacked functioning central governments, or were identified as harboring terrorist activity.
For example, Afghanistan, under Taliban rule, was cited for lacking a cooperative authority and having a student visa overstay rate of nearly 30%. Iran, a designated state sponsor of terrorism, was noted for non-cooperation with U.S. security agencies and failing to repatriate its nationals.
Partial entry restrictions were imposed on nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These measures apply specifically to individuals seeking B-1, B-2, F, M, and J visas, including business, tourist, student, and exchange visitor categories.
Among those countries, Cuba and Venezuela were highlighted for weak cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities and issues with passport and civil documentation systems. Laos was flagged for a B-1/B-2 overstay rate exceeding 34%, while Sierra Leone had a student/exchange visa overstay rate above 35%.
The action was taken under Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the president authority to suspend the entry of certain foreign nationals. This authority was previously upheld in the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in Trump v. Hawaii, which found the travel restrictions enacted during Trump’s first term to be lawful and within presidential powers.
The proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, individuals with existing valid visas, and those whose entry is deemed in the national interest. It also exempts certain visa categories not covered by the proclamation.
White House officials emphasized that the restrictions are not blanket bans but targeted measures aimed at encouraging foreign governments to improve information sharing and vetting procedures.
During his first term, President Trump implemented similar travel restrictions, which were met with both legal challenges and public criticism. The administration defended those actions as essential to national security.
In announcing the new proclamation, President Trump stated, “We will restore the travel ban… and keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country,” reiterating a campaign promise from his re-election bid.
The proclamation follows a comprehensive review conducted by the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security, in coordination with other national security agencies. Officials said the latest overstay data and global terrorism trends informed the decision.
The order takes effect immediately, though its long-term implementation may face legal and diplomatic scrutiny. Immigration and civil rights groups are expected to challenge the measure.