Trump’s New Travel Ban Takes Effect for 12 Countries

[Social Media]

 

President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban, which prohibits citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States, took effect at midnight Eastern Time on Monday, igniting a storm of international criticism and domestic political debate. The executive order, signed last week, bars entry to nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. An additional seven countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—face partial restrictions.

 

 

The White House defended the move as a national security measure. In a statement, officials said the “common sense restrictions” were implemented “to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.” President Trump indicated that the list of restricted countries could change based on future security developments or if affected nations make “material improvements” in governance and vetting practices. “Threats emerge around the world,” he stated, leaving open the possibility of further additions.

 

This marks the second major travel ban imposed by Trump during his presidency. A similar executive order in 2017, widely referred to as the "Muslim ban," faced intense legal scrutiny and prompted widespread protests. Like its predecessor, the new order is expected to face legal challenges.

 

Despite the sweeping nature of the ban, several exemptions were included. Lawful permanent residents, their immediate family members with immigrant visas, U.S. government employees with Special Immigrant Visas, and individuals adopted from the listed countries are not affected. Dual nationals traveling on passports from non-restricted countries are also exempt.

 

Afghan nationals with Special Immigrant Visas and Iranians with immigrant visas granted due to persecution based on ethnicity or religion will still be allowed entry. Additionally, certain non-immigrant visa holders, athletes and their teams participating in major global sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, and individuals who could serve the national interest may be granted entry on a case-by-case basis by the Secretary of State.

 

The ban was announced shortly after a suspected terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national injured 12 people using a makeshift flamethrower and Molotov cocktails during a demonstration in support of Israeli hostages. In a video posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump cited the incident as evidence of the dangers posed by inadequately vetted foreign nationals. Despite this, Egypt was notably absent from the list of banned countries.

 

The reaction to the ban has been swift and polarized. Chad responded by halting all visa services for U.S. citizens, while Somalia stated its willingness to cooperate with Washington on security issues. The African Union condemned the order and urged the United States to “engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.”

 

Domestically, Democratic lawmakers were quick to denounce the policy. “This ban, expanded from Trump's Muslim ban in his first term, will only further isolate us on the world stage,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on social media. In contrast, supporters of the ban, like Congressman Clay Higgins of Louisiana, defended it as a matter of sovereignty and security. “Travel to the US is a privilege, not a right,” Higgins told the BBC.

 

As the ban begins to reshape America’s immigration landscape once again, legal experts and civil rights groups are preparing for what promises to be another round of courtroom battles over the scope and constitutionality of the president’s authority on immigration.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC  2025-06-10

 

 

[Yagoda]

4 hours ago, Social Media said:

This ban, expanded from Trump's Muslim ban in his first term, will only further isolate us on the world stage,” said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal on social media.

North Korea, Sudan, Eritrea, Iran...got it. The beacons of hope in the world.

[FlorC]

Why visa restrictions for Laos ?

[Emdog]

I would suggest the powers that be in FIFA ought to consider holding the world cup outside of USA as long as Trump & xenophobes are running the show. Same goes for Olympics. 

for fun looked up Nazi policies for 1936 Olympics... "Lithuania was officially expelled from the 1936 Berlin Olympics due to Germany's stance on Lithuanian anti-Nazi policies"

If a countries athletes are allowed to participate, it's citizens should be allowed to attend. And one would hope perhaps do some sightseeing before or after. 

[frank83628]

18 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Why visa restrictions for Laos ?

Or burma.

[FlorC]

4 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Or burma.

Well with the civil war going on there , I get it , but Laos ?

[Patong2021]

32 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Why visa restrictions for Laos ?

 

The country  reportedly has  a high proportion of visa holders who overstay. The Laotian Times reported that 4.500 laotians illegally reside in the USA. Also the Laotian passport controls are not deemed appropriate.

[FlorC]

8 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

The country  reportedly has  a high proportion of visa holders who overstay. The Laotian Times reported that 4.500 laotians illegally reside in the USA. Also the Laotian passport controls are not deemed appropriate.

Ok thanks.

Wow there are 4.500 Laotians who could afford a plane ticket ? 

It is a poor country. 

 

4500 out of 10 to even 20 million illegals .

Probably not rioting and claiming California is theirs because it was stolen from Mexicans.

[Patong2021]

37 minutes ago, Emdog said:

I would suggest the powers that be in FIFA ought to consider holding the world cup outside of USA as long as Trump & xenophobes are running the show. Same goes for Olympics. 

for fun looked up Nazi policies for 1936 Olympics... "Lithuania was officially expelled from the 1936 Berlin Olympics due to Germany's stance on Lithuanian anti-Nazi policies"

If a countries athletes are allowed to participate, it's citizens should be allowed to attend. And one would hope perhaps do some sightseeing before or after. 

 

You are in denial of  the long standing problems with the  restricted countries. Some are already subject to international sanctions. Qualifying FIFA tournament countries will be able to obtain  visas. It is understandable that the USA  wants to restrict some countries' citizens because of the   likelihood that they will refuse to leave.

Are you aware that Eritrea  withdrew from qualification prior to playing any matches, because of its embarrassment that players would  refuse to leave. The Congo will not be participating because of its ban by the Football governing body  over government influence peddling and meddling. Other countries have not qualifed. Which of the restricted countries has qualified for the tournament?

 

Have you looked at the  restricted nation list? Most are hostile to the USA. Others are subject to international sanctions. All  have a high proportion of  people allowed in who claim refugee status or who overstay their visas. 

Chad, Libya, Somalia, Sudan,  all have a terrorism problem. 

Myanmar, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea are subject to  sanctions because of human rights abuses. 

Iran, Yemen and Afghanistan are hostile to the USA.

Haiti  has a problem with unauthorized migrants and bogus refugee claims. Haitians refuse to go back to Haiti.

 

The USA has every right to protect itself from unwanted  immigrants and from terrorists.

[bendejo]

47 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Well with the civil war going on there , I get it , but Laos ?

 

IMO it is because they are Lao People's Democratic Republic.  In USA politics people's means commie.

Don't think for a second DT came up with each place on the list.

 

Bear in mind the list contained places inhabited only by wildlife.

 

 

[frank83628]

1 minute ago, FlorC said:

Ok thanks.

Wow there are 4.500 Laotians who could afford a plane ticket ? 

It is a poor country. 

 

4500 out of 10 to even 20 million illegals .

Probably not rioting and claiming California is theirs because it was stolen from Mexicans.

I would expect many in LA are BLM, Antifa and  j6 democrat soros paid mobs.

Not genuine protesters. I hope Newsom and bass are arrsested

[bubblegum]

33 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

You are in denial of  the long standing problems with the  restricted countries. Some are already subject to international sanctions. Qualifying FIFA tournament countries will be able to obtain  visas. It is understandable that the USA  wants to restrict some countries' citizens because of the   likelihood that they will refuse to leave.

Are you aware that Eritrea  withdrew from qualification prior to playing any matches, because of its embarrassment that players would  refuse to leave. The Congo will not be participating because of its ban by the Football governing body  over government influence peddling and meddling. Other countries have not qualifed. Which of the restricted countries has qualified for the tournament?

 

Have you looked at the  restricted nation list? Most are hostile to the USA. Others are subject to international sanctions. All  have a high proportion of  people allowed in who claim refugee status or who overstay their visas. 

Chad, Libya, Somalia, Sudan,  all have a terrorism problem. 

Myanmar, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea are subject to  sanctions because of human rights abuses. 

Iran, Yemen and Afghanistan are hostile to the USA.

Haiti  has a problem with unauthorized migrants and bogus refugee claims. Haitians refuse to go back to Haiti.

 

The USA has every right to protect itself from unwanted  immigrants and from terrorists.

The Maga's call just about everybody unwanted and terrorist. Big mouth but scared of everything so need gun to protect. Jeez, wimp's.

[Patong2021]

8 minutes ago, bubblegum said:

The Maga's call just about everybody unwanted and terrorist. Big mouth but scared of everything so need gun to protect. Jeez, wimp's.

 

This isn't about MAGA. The countries who present a terrorism risk have been like that for  many years, long before Trump was president.  Are you denying the at Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Chad and Libya do not have a significant terrorism risk?  Iran tried to assassinate Trump and has repeatedly threatened the USA, and you expect the USA  to say come on in to Iranians?

[Eric Loh]

13 minutes ago, Patong2021 said:

 

This isn't about MAGA. The countries who present a terrorism risk have been like that for  many years, long before Trump was president.  Are you denying the at Yemen, Sudan, Somalia, Chad and Libya do not have a significant terrorism risk?  Iran tried to assassinate Trump and has repeatedly threatened the USA, and you expect the USA  to say come on in to Iranians?

If that it your argument, it should include Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Beside 9/11, Saudi export Wahhabism, a strict strain of Islam that has been blamed for fueling extremism around the world. Trump called Saudi Arabia "the world's biggest founder of terrorism"in 2011. Qatar has been accused of state-sponsored terrorism. It is all performative politics and doing what best for himself. 

[Yagoda]

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

Well with the civil war going on there , I get it , but Laos ?

Failed state that cant enforce security policies