President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order implementing a travel ban targeting dangerous foreign actors from 12 countries, citing national security concerns. The ban, effective June 9, 2025, restricts entry into the United States for nationals from Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, the order imposes partial restrictions on travelers from seven other countries, including Cuba and Venezuela.
The administration’s decision follows a recent terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, involving an Egyptian national who was in the U.S. illegally. Although Egypt is not among the countries listed in the ban, the incident underscored the need for stringent vetting processes.
The executive order, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” aims to enhance screening and vetting measures for all foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States. It directs federal agencies to identify deficiencies in information-sharing and to implement necessary updates to existing procedures to ensure national security and public safety.
Critics argue that the travel ban disproportionately targets Muslim-majority and African nations, raising concerns about discrimination and potential legal challenges. However, the administration maintains that the measures are necessary to protect Americans from foreign threats.
The travel ban is reminiscent of the 2017 restrictions implemented during Trump’s first term, which faced legal scrutiny but were ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
In a statement, President Trump emphasized the importance of national security, stating, “We will do whatever it takes to keep our country safe.”
