President Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban on 12 countries, set to begin Monday at 12:01 a.m. The list includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, travelers from seven other countries like Cuba, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan will face stricter entry restrictions. Trump linked the decision to national security risks, particularly after a recent terror attack in Colorado, though the suspect’s country, Egypt, was not included.
Trump defended the move by pointing to countries with weak security systems and high visa overstay rates. He said many of these nations fail to verify traveler identities properly. Some, he added, also refuse to take back their citizens once deported. The Department of Homeland Security supported this claim with data from annual visa overstay reports. Trump emphasized, “We don’t want them,” stressing the need for stronger vetting processes.
The decision has sparked strong criticism, especially regarding Afghanistan. Many American veterans and refugee advocates condemned the inclusion of Afghans, who had supported U.S. forces. Although some Afghans holding Special Immigrant Visas are exempt, critics argue this ban still betrays longtime allies. Trump responded by saying Afghanistan lacks proper screening systems and a stable government to manage travel documents.
Human rights groups and international organizations quickly condemned the ban. Groups like Oxfam America called it divisive and harmful to people fleeing conflict or poverty. Critics argue the policy targets vulnerable nations rather than addressing real security threats. Some say it could block families and workers who contribute to U.S. communities from entering legally.
This ban revives one of Trump’s most controversial first-term policies, often labeled the “Muslim ban.” That earlier ban, first issued in 2017, caused airport chaos and legal battles. While the Supreme Court later upheld a revised version, the policy remains widely debated. With this new action, Trump has once again made immigration and national security a focus of his agenda.