Donald Trump’s travel ban is back—and this time, it’s bigger. On Wednesday, the president signed a new proclamation barring entry to citizens of 12 countries, primarily in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The ban, which takes effect June 9, closely mirrors Trump’s original 2017 travel ban, but with even broader scope and bolder justification.
This time, the White House cites “national security” and “terrorism-related” risks. Critics say the policy is a thinly veiled attempt to codify racism into immigration law.
Who’s Affected by the Travel Ban?
The 12 countries facing a total ban on entry into the United States are:
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Afghanistan
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Myanmar (Burma)
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Chad
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Republic of Congo
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Equatorial Guinea
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Eritrea
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Haiti
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Iran
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Libya
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Somalia
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Sudan
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Yemen
An additional seven countries will face partial restrictions—entry under some visa programs is suspended:
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Burundi
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Cuba
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Laos
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Sierra Leone
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Togo
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Turkmenistan
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Venezuela
According to the proclamation, many of these nations either have high visa overstay rates, fail to cooperate on deportations, or lack “adequate screening and vetting procedures.”
graphic: lou robinson, cnn
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The Justification—and the Loophole
Trump used a recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian man allegedly attacked protestors with Molotov cocktails, as a springboard for the ban. Egypt, notably, is not on the list.
“We don’t want them,” Trump said in a White House video, referring to foreign nationals who overstay visas or arrive without what he considers proper vetting.
The administration cited reasons ranging from terrorism to “public safety risks” and identity verification issues. But there are exemptions:
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Green card holders and lawful residents are not affected.
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Dual citizens traveling with a passport from a non-banned country are allowed.
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Afghan nationals who worked with the U.S., religious minorities from Iran, adoptees, and Olympic athletes are also carved out.
The Numbers—and the Reality
In the past year, the U.S. issued over 126,000 visas to people from countries now included in the ban. While some countries, like Chad or Equatorial Guinea, receive relatively few visas annually, others—like Haiti, Venezuela, and Iran—have deep historical, humanitarian, or diplomatic ties to the U.S.
And yet, the data doesn’t match the rhetoric. According to the Cato Institute, the odds of being killed by a terrorist from one of the banned countries between 1975 and 2024 were 1 in 13.9 billion per year.
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The Politics of Discrimination
This is not new ground for Trump. In his first term, his administration targeted six Muslim-majority countries, a move upheld by the Supreme Court despite dissent from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, who called the ban a product of “anti-Muslim animus.”
Now, with a broader list, critics say the administration is not just reviving a discriminatory policy—it’s supercharging it.
Nearly all of the countries on the new list are Black, brown, poor, or politically unstable—many with long histories of U.S. interference or abandonment. And some, like Haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela, have seen their humanitarian protections slashed under the current administration, despite deep crises at home.
Diplomatic Fallout
The African Union Commission condemned the policy, saying it would damage “people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and the broader diplomatic relations that have been carefully nurtured over decades.”
And yet, Trump signaled he’s not done.
“New countries may be added,” he warned in his video message, “as threats emerge around the world.”
What’s Next?
The travel ban will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, June 9. Legal challenges are expected, especially as the policy mirrors one that’s already been litigated—though now with new countries, shifting justifications, and an emboldened administration.
Whether this iteration will survive in court, or serve mostly as red meat for Trump’s base, remains to be seen. But for now, for millions of people across 19 countries, the message is chillingly clear: you’re not welcome here.
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