U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the reinstatement of a controversial travel ban, this time targeting 10 African countries and several other nations deemed security risks by the U.S. government.
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What the New Executive Order Says
According to a statement from the White House, the new executive order instructs national security agencies to reassess foreign entry threats. Twelve countries now face full entry bans, while seven others face partial visa restrictions.
“We will restore the travel ban some call it the Trump travel ban and keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our country,” Trump stated. “The Supreme Court upheld it once, and we’re building on that lawful, common-sense foundation.”
List of Fully and Partially Restricted Countries
🔴 Fully Banned from Entry
- Afghanistan
- Burma
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
🟡 Partial Visa Restrictions
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Why These Countries Were Targeted
The administration cited multiple reasons behind the travel bans, including high visa overstay rates, inability to verify identity documents, and lack of cooperation in deportation efforts. For example:
- Burma was flagged for a 42% overstay rate among student and exchange visas.
- Equatorial Guinea recorded a 70% overstay rate in the same category.
- Iran and Cuba were named as state sponsors of terrorism.
- Afghanistan’s lack of a central authority was also cited.
“Some of these nations show blatant disregard for our immigration laws,” a senior administration official said.
Are There Any Exceptions?
Yes. According to the White House, the new policy provides exceptions for U.S. lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, and those whose entry aligns with American national interests.
Officials emphasized that the restrictions are not blanket bans but are meant to pressure countries into improving document verification and cooperation on deportations.
Policy Backed by Supreme Court History
This new directive builds on Trump’s original 2017 travel ban, which drew global criticism but was eventually upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court as within the president’s authority.
“We must ensure that those who enter our country do not pose a threat to the American people,” Trump concluded.
The travel restrictions take effect immediately.
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