• 06 Jun, 2025
• FAITH MIMDOO KEGH
• No comment

Trump Reinstates and Expands Travel Ban, Targeting 12 Nations.

U.S. President

Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban affecting citizens from 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, citing national security concerns. The move revives and broadens a controversial immigration policy from his previous term.

The ban applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, effectively barring them from entering the United States.

Additionally, Trump has imposed entry restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Citizens from these countries who are currently outside the U.S. and do not already hold valid visas will be affected.

The announcement follows a January 20 executive order, which tasked the Departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to assess perceived “hostile attitudes” toward the U.S. and recommend actions.

According to the administration, the goal is to prevent entry of individuals who may pose a threat through terrorism, ideological extremism, or misuse of immigration laws. Officials also cited weak vetting processes and some countries’ refusal to accept deported citizens as reasons for the restrictions.

In a recent social media video, Trump linked the travel ban to a recent terror incident in Boulder, Colorado. The suspect in that case, an Egyptian national, had overstayed a tourist visa—though Egypt is not among the banned countries.

Trump emphasized the risks of visa overstays and stated that the affected nations have either high overstay rates or inadequate screening processes. “We don’t want them,” he declared.

The decision to include Afghanistan sparked criticism, especially from groups that have worked to help resettle Afghans who supported U.S. operations during the 20-year war. However, the policy allows exceptions for Afghans holding Special Immigrant Visas.

The administration noted that the list is subject to change. Countries may be removed if they improve their immigration systems, and others could be added if new threats emerge.

The African Union Commission has criticized the decision, particularly the halt to educational exchanges and other cross-border cooperation initiatives that may be affected by the policy.

FAITH MIMDOO KEGH

Manager – Oversees the daily operations, editorial planning, and strategic direction of the platform. A graduate with a solid academic foundation in media and communication, Faith brings a wealth of experience to the TokinPoint.

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