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

Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel from 12 Countries.

President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation barring entry into the United States from 12 countries, citing national security

concerns. The ban, effective June 9 at 12:01 a.m., applies to nationals from:

  Afghanistan
  Myanmar (Burma)
  Chad
  Republic of the Congo
  Equatorial Guinea
  Eritrea
   Haiti
  Iran
  Libya
  Somalia
  Sudan
  Yemen

Additionally, people from seven other countries will face partial restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The order includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, certain visa types, and individuals whose entry is deemed to support U.S. interests.

A White House official stated that the proclamation had been under consideration but was expedited following a recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. Notably, the suspect in that attack was from Egypt, which is not on the restricted list.

Deputy press secretary Abigail Jackson said the move fulfills Trump’s commitment to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.” She emphasized that the restrictions target countries with poor vetting systems, high visa overstay rates, or inadequate cooperation in sharing security information.

In a video posted Wednesday, Trump said additional countries could be added if new threats emerge.

The policy was issued less than five months into Trump’s second term. On his first day back in office, he ordered federal agencies to identify countries with insufficient screening procedures.

Trump previously implemented a travel ban during his first term, initially targeting several Muslim-majority countries. That earlier ban faced legal challenges but was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. President Biden repealed it in 2021.

The new restrictions could significantly affect Afghan nationals, including many who supported the U.S. military during its 20-year presence in Afghanistan. While the order makes exceptions for Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders, many Afghans not covered by the program may still be at risk.

Shawn Vandiver, founder of #AfghanEvac, said the ban harms families pursuing legal entry into the U.S. and is more of a political maneuver than a response to an urgent threat.

Governments of affected nations criticized the move. Venezuela’s interior minister claimed traveling to the U.S. is dangerous for anyone, not just Venezuelans. Humanitarian group Oxfam described the ban as a revival of discriminatory policies that put vulnerable populations in harm’s way.

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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