President Donald Trump has signed an executive order restricting travel to the United States from 12 countries deemed high-risk for terrorism, visa overstays, and poor identity verification protocols.
The affected nations include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, with partial restrictions on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The order aims to prevent future terror attacks and unauthorized immigration, reflecting Trump’s broader “America First” doctrine prioritizing domestic safety and strict border controls.
According to Trump, “Very simply, we cannot allow open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those seeking to enter the United States.”
Trump linked the policy decision to a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, which he said highlights the risks posed by foreign nationals who either enter the country without adequate screening or overstay their visas.
“In the 21st century, we’ve seen one terror attack after another carried out by foreign visa overstayers from dangerous places all over the world,” he said. “We don’t want them here.”
The move has sparked controversy, with critics drawing comparisons to Trump’s previous travel bans, which were widely criticized as “Muslim bans.”
Supporters argue that the action is necessary to safeguard American lives and national security. The ban is set to take effect on June 9, 2025.
