Trump reinstates travel ban: which country’s affected and which is exempted?

The Trump administration announced a new travel ban on Wednesday, suspending entry into the U.S. for citizens from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

The proclamation, citing national security concerns, stated that these countries “lack sufficient vetting and screening processes” to prevent potential threats, including terrorism. In addition to the full ban, partial restrictions will apply to citizens from seven other nations: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The decision was influenced by factors such as a country’s cooperation with information-sharing, rates of visa overstays, the presence of terrorists, and how easily nations accept deported individuals. The restrictions will go into effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m. ET.

In a video statement released by the White House, former President Donald Trump explained that he had previously ordered a review of travel risks from “high-risk regions” upon taking office. “On my first day in office, I directed the secretary of state to perform a security review of ‘high-risk regions’ to make travel restriction recommendations,” he said.

Trump also referenced a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, where Jewish protestors were targeted. The suspect, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is an Egyptian national. Notably, Egypt is not listed in the current travel ban.

This move resembles Trump’s 2017 travel ban, which barred citizens from several Muslim-majority nations. Although heavily criticized, the Supreme Court upheld that policy in 2018. President Joe Biden later revoked it in 2021.

Opposition to the new restrictions came swiftly from Democratic lawmakers. Sen. Adam Schiff and Sen. Ed Markey took to social media to condemn the ban. Markey wrote on X, “Make no mistake: Trump’s latest travel ban will NOT make America safer. We cannot continue to allow the Trump administration to write bigotry and hatred into U.S. immigration policy.”

The new policy applies to those outside the U.S. who do not already hold valid visas as of Monday, June 9. However, exceptions include U.S. permanent residents, athletes attending major events, and immediate family members who can provide “clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship,” with DNA being one cited form of proof.