Trump Enacts New Travel Ban Affecting 19 Countries, Citing National Security Concerns

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Trump Enacts New Travel Ban Affecting 19 Countries, Citing National Security Concerns

 

U.S. President Donald Trump has once again invoked national security as the reason behind a sweeping travel ban, which now targets nationals from 19 countries. The White House announced that the order, which restricts travel to the United States from 12 nations and imposes partial limits on seven more, will take effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m. local time. Trump’s move, which mirrors a similar directive issued during his first term in 2017, comes amid renewed anxieties over foreign terrorism and immigration.

 

According to the proclamation, travel is now fully banned for nationals of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition to this list, nationals from seven other countries — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela — will face partial restrictions.

President Trump issued a new proclamation restricting travel by foreigners from 12 countries and partially restricting entry for travellers from an additional seven countries. pic.twitter.com/MWLygGqg7v

— Newsweek (@Newsweek) June 5, 2025

 

“The safety of American citizens must always come first,” Trump declared in a video posted to his Truth Social platform. “The recent terror attack in Boulder shows just how real the threat is when we fail to properly vet who we allow into our country.” On Sunday, 12 people were injured during an attack in Boulder, Colorado, where a man allegedly hurled incendiary devices and wielded a makeshift flamethrower at a gathering in support of Israeli hostages. The suspect, reportedly an Egyptian national, reignited fears about potential loopholes in the vetting process — although Egypt is not among the countries included in the new ban.

 

The omission of Egypt has raised eyebrows, particularly given Trump’s well-documented relationship with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whom he once referred to as his “favourite dictator.” Still, the administration insists the list is not politically motivated but based on what it calls “material risks to U.S. national security.”

 

White House officials emphasized that the measure is subject to periodic review and that the list could be revised if “material improvements” are made by the affected nations. Similarly, more countries could be added in the future “as threats emerge around the world.”

 

Despite the ban’s breadth, there are several key exemptions. Lawful permanent residents of the U.S., dual nationals from non-listed countries, and individuals holding certain types of visas — including athletes participating in major international events such as the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics — are exempt. Additionally, Afghan nationals with Special Immigrant Visas and Iranians fleeing religious or ethnic persecution can still seek entry. The Secretary of State also retains the authority to issue waivers on a “case-by-case basis,” especially if doing so would “serve a United States national interest.”

 

Unlike the 2017 travel ban, which triggered chaos at airports and widespread confusion due to its abrupt rollout, the current measure includes a brief lead-in period to prevent similar disruptions. Nevertheless, critics are expected to challenge the decision in court, questioning both the legality and the motivations behind the policy.

 

As with previous travel bans during Trump’s tenure, the latest move is likely to stoke debate about national security, civil liberties, and the United States’ role in providing refuge to those fleeing violence and oppression. For now, however, the administration appears determined to double down on its hardline approach to immigration.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-06-05

 

 

[Hamus Yaigh]

The U.S. travel ban, signed by President Trump on June 4, 2025, restricts entry for citizens of 12 countries and partially restricts travel from seven others, citing national security concerns. It's discriminatory and racist, targeting African, Afro-Caribbean, and Muslim-majority countries, and liken it to exclusionary policies like apartheid due to its blanket application to entire nationalities.

 

The administration defends it as a necessary security measure, addressing deficiencies in the listed countries' vetting systems but it seems more like a deficiency in common human decency by the US with its treating people of all races unequally.

[stevenl]

National security? Bs.

Due to boulder, terror attack by an Egyptian national? Bs.

[CG1 Blue]

31 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

It's discriminatory and racist, targeting African, Afro-Caribbean, and Muslim-majority countries, and liken it to exclusionary policies like apartheid due to its blanket application to entire nationalities.

I disagree.

 

A country's leader can either appease the left (like the UK does) and accept the increased risk from some individuals from these countries. 

Or they can take drastic measures to reduce the risk for all of it's citizens, knowing they'll face the wrath of the left (throwing around the racist card etc.). 

 

I know which I prefer. 

[Caldera]

Interesting to see that Cambodia escaped being put on the final list, but Laos didn't. 

[stevenl]

17 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Interesting to see that Cambodia escaped being put on the final list, but Laos didn't. 

Only because the US has been flooded with Lao immigrants and terrorists.

[CallumWK]

54 minutes ago, Caldera said:

Interesting to see that Cambodia escaped being put on the final list, but Laos didn't. 

 

It's because Trump's biggest supporter, who lives in Cambodia, recently announced on this forum that he is travelling to the US for business in the near future.

[Harrisfan]

3 minutes ago, CallumWK said:

 

It's because Trump's biggest supporter, who lives in Cambodia, recently announced on this forum that he is travelling to the US for business in the near future.

Good joke

[Tug]

1 hour ago, stevenl said:

National security? Bs.

Due to boulder, terror attack by an Egyptian national? Bs.

I agree it’s a distraction from his recent failures trade/putin groveling/crypto scam.it gets the gullible talking about this instead of his latest malfeasance/ incompetence.