Trump NewsTrump signs ban on travel to US by nationals from 12 countries

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation imposing a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries and imposing partial restrictions on nationals from seven others, citing national security concerns. The move, set to take effect next Monday, follows heightened scrutiny over immigration policies after a recent terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado.

Who Is Affected?

The full travel ban applies to individuals from:

  • Afghanistan
  • Chad
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • Myanmar
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Yemen

Additionally, entry restrictions will be imposed on certain travelers from:

  • Burundi
  • Cuba
  • Laos
  • Sierra Leone
  • Togo
  • Turkmenistan
  • Venezuela

Trump’s Justification

In a statement, President Trump linked the ban to the Boulder attack, where an undocumented immigrant allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at protesters.

“The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted,” Trump said. “We don’t want them.”

However, critics noted that Egypt—the suspect’s home country—was not included in the ban, raising questions about the administration’s selection criteria.

Legal and Political Challenges Ahead

This is not the first time Trump has attempted such a measure. His 2017 “Muslim ban,” which initially targeted majority-Muslim nations, faced fierce legal battles before a revised version was upheld by the Supreme Court.

“The first time, it was struck down because it appeared to discriminate based on religion,” said Jake Quan, North America correspondent. “This time, the White House has crafted the order more carefully, avoiding overtly religious language.”

Unlike the 2017 ban, which had a 90-day limit, the new restrictions have no expiration date. The administration says it will conduct periodic reviews to assess whether the bans should remain in place.

Mixed Reactions

Immigration advocates and civil rights groups have condemned the move, calling it an extension of Trump’s hardline policies. Meanwhile, supporters argue stricter vetting is necessary to prevent security threats.

Legal experts predict court challenges, though the administration hopes the revised language will help it survive judicial scrutiny. For now, travelers from the listed countries without existing visas or refugee status will be barred from entering the U.S. starting next week.

—Reporting by Jake Quan in Washington, D.C.