Trump Signs Travel Ban Affecting 19 Countries, Citing Security Concerns

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions on nationals from 19 countries, citing national security threats and deficiencies in identity verification processes.

Under the new directive, citizens from 12 countries will face full travel bans to the United States. These countries include: Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

An additional seven countries — Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela — will be subject to partial restrictions.

According to the White House, exemptions apply to U.S. lawful permanent residents, individuals with valid visas, select visa categories, and those whose entry aligns with U.S. national interests.

The proclamation, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on June 9, follows a recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado. A White House official confirmed that although the travel restrictions were already under consideration, the violent incident accelerated the decision.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson said the restrictions were “commonsense measures targeting countries with inadequate security vetting, high visa overstay rates, or poor information-sharing practices.” She emphasized that the list is dynamic and subject to updates as new threats emerge globally.

In a video message released Wednesday, Trump reiterated his administration’s focus on protecting the U.S. from foreign actors intending harm. “We will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe,” he stated.

This move echoes policies from Trump’s first term, when a travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries was implemented and later reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.

The latest ban has drawn swift criticism from advocacy groups and affected nations. Humanitarian organizations warn that the restrictions could endanger people fleeing conflict and persecution.

“This is a strategic move, not a response to an immediate threat,” said Shawn Vandiver, founder of the AfghanEvac coalition, which supports Afghans evacuated during the U.S. withdrawal. He warned that the policy disproportionately affects families and individuals seeking legal entry.

Venezuelan officials also pushed back, with Minister Diosdado Cabello suggesting that visiting the U.S. poses risks even for non-Venezuelans. Meanwhile, international NGO Oxfam condemned the proclamation as “a chilling return to policies of fear, discrimination, and division.”

Oxfam America President Abby Maxman stated that the measure could deny refuge to people in dire need. “This policy will keep families in harm’s way, turning them away from safety,” she said.