By Amin Kef (Ranger)
U.S. President, Donald Trump, on Wednesday June 4, 2025 signed a new travel proclamation reinstating broad restrictions on entry into the United States from 19 countries, citing national security concerns. The latest move fully bans entry from 12 countries and imposes partial restrictions on seven others, including Sierra Leone.
The proclamation, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, aims to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors,” according to the White House. Countries now facing a full travel ban include: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
The partially restricted countries are: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela. Specific details of the partial restrictions vary but include limitations on certain types of visas and enhanced vetting protocols.
“President Trump is delivering on his commitment to safeguard the American people from potentially dangerous foreign actors seeking entry into the United States,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson. “These targeted, country-specific restrictions are based on clear security concerns including inadequate vetting procedures, high rates of visa overstays and failure to share critical identity and threat intelligence. President Trump remains firmly committed to acting in the best interest of the safety and security of all Americans.”
The decision follows an internal review by U.S. security agencies, which concluded that the banned countries either do not meet minimum standards for identity verification or fail to adequately share security-related information with the U.S. Government.
The White House emphasized that exceptions will be made in specific cases. These include lawful permanent residents, dual nationals traveling on a passport from an unrestricted country, foreign diplomats, athletes attending major international competitions and individuals granted Special Immigrant Visas. Humanitarian exceptions will also be considered, particularly for family reunification and vulnerable minorities.
The timing of the ban coincides with heightened security discussions following a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, during a solidarity march for Israeli hostages held by Hamas. While no direct connection has been made between the attackers and the listed countries, officials said the incident underscored the need for stricter entry controls.
This new measure mirrors Trump’s controversial travel ban during his first term in office. That original ban, widely criticized for targeting predominantly Muslim countries, was challenged repeatedly in court. After undergoing several revisions, it was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.
Erstwhile President Joe Biden repealed the first-term ban on his first day in office in 2021, calling it “a stain on our national conscience.” However, with Trump’s return to office and his renewed emphasis on strong border and immigration policies, this 2025 proclamation marks a significant shift in U.S. foreign entry policy.
The full list of exceptions and specifics of enforcement will be released by the Department of Homeland Security in the coming days. Meanwhile, citizens and residents from affected countries are advised to seek guidance from U.S. embassies and consulates regarding their travel plans.
