Trump Signs New Travel Ban Targeting 12 Countries, Citing Security Threats

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday that prohibits citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. The administration asserts that this measure is essential to safeguard against “foreign terrorists” and other security threats. This directive is part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated at the start of Trump’s second term, which includes the deportation of hundreds of Venezuelans suspected of gang affiliations and efforts to limit foreign student enrollments.

The countries targeted by the latest travel ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, entry from seven other nations—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—will face partial restrictions.

“We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump stated in a video shared on social media platform X. He indicated that the list of banned countries could be revised, with the possibility of additional nations being added in the future.

The new travel ban will take effect on June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT). Visas issued prior to this date will not be revoked, according to the proclamation.

The African Union’s Commission expressed its concern on Thursday regarding the potential negative repercussions of the travel ban on educational exchanges, commercial relationships, and broader diplomatic ties. “The African Union Commission respectfully calls upon the U.S. administration to consider adopting a more consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned,” it stated.

During his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump implemented a ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, a policy that underwent multiple revisions before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. His successor, former President Joe Biden, repealed the ban on nationals from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.”

According to Trump, the countries subjected to the strictest travel restrictions were identified as harboring a “large-scale presence of terrorists.” He cited issues such as non-cooperation on visa security, the inability to verify travelers’ identities, poor record-keeping of criminal histories, and high rates of visa overstays in the U.S. as justifications for the ban. “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States,” he argued.

Trump referenced a recent incident in Boulder, Colorado, where a man allegedly threw a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators, as an example of the urgent need for these restrictions. The suspect, Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, has been charged in connection with the attack. Federal officials revealed that Soliman had overstayed his tourist visa and possessed an expired work permit, although Egypt is not among the countries facing travel limitations.

In response to the ban, Somalia pledged cooperation with the U.S. to address security concerns. “Somalia values its longstanding relationship with the United States and stands ready to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised,” stated Dahir Hassan Abdi, the Somali ambassador to the U.S.

Venezuelan Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello, a close ally of President Nicolás Maduro, criticized the U.S. government as “fascist,” warning that being in the United States poses significant risks for Venezuelans. “They persecute our countrymen for no reason,” he claimed.

Reactions from affected nations have been mixed. The Taliban-led Afghan foreign ministry has yet to respond to inquiries regarding the travel ban’s implications for Afghans awaiting resettlement in the U.S., while Myanmar’s military government has not commented on the matter.

The travel ban has the potential to disrupt the plans of individuals like a Myanmar teacher who is set to join a U.S. State Department exchange program in September. “It is not easy to apply nor get accepted as we needed several recommendation letters,” she stated, requesting anonymity due to her outstanding visa application.

Trump’s presidential campaign has emphasized a stringent border strategy, previewing further restrictions in an October 2023 speech that included potential limitations on individuals from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, and other regions deemed security threats.

Additionally, Trump signed an executive order on January 20 mandating intensified security vetting for foreigners seeking admission to the U.S. to detect and mitigate national security threats.

Statement from the African Union Commission on the U.S. Travel Ban

The African Union Commission has acknowledged the recent proclamation by the United States imposing new travel restrictions affecting nationals from several countries, including those on the African continent.

While recognizing the sovereign right of all nations to protect their borders and ensure the security of their citizens, the African Union Commission appeals to the United States to exercise this right in a balanced, evidence-based manner that reflects the longstanding partnership between the U.S. and Africa.

The Commission expresses concern over the potential adverse impact of such measures on people-to-people ties, educational exchanges, commercial engagement, and broader diplomatic relations that have been cultivated over decades. The U.S. and Africa share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation.

The African Union Commission calls on the U.S. administration to adopt a more consultative approach and engage in constructive dialogue with the affected countries. The Commission advocates for transparent communication and collaborative efforts to address any underlying issues that may have informed this decision.

The Commission remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote understanding, resolve concerns, and strengthen cooperation between Africa and the United States.