On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a sweeping travel ban that blocks or restricts U.S. visa access for nationals of 19 countries. The policy took effect on Monday, June 9, and affects millions of people across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia.
Here’s a breakdown of what it means, who’s affected, and what might happen next.
Who’s Banned?
12 countries are fully banned.
Nationals of these countries are barred from entering the U.S. on any visa, immigrant or non-immigrant.
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
This includes tourist visas, student visas, work visas, and green cards.
7 countries face partial bans.
These nationals are barred from getting visitor (B-1/B-2), student (F, M), and exchange visitor (J) visas. Other visa types, like work visas, may still be available, but with new limits or shortened validity.
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
The List Might Grow
As of June 16, the Trump administration is now considering adding 36 more countries to the ban. According to a leaked State Department cable, these countries have 60 days to meet certain benchmarks or risk being banned entirely or partially. Concerns cited include:
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Poor passport security
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Lack of cooperation in deportations
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High visa overstay rates
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Past acts of terrorism or antisemitic activity by nationals
Countries under review include: Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Angola, Cambodia, Uganda, and others.
Why The Travel Ban Happened
The White House used INA Section 212(f), which is a legal tool that allows the president to block the entry of foreign nationals deemed “detrimental to U.S. interests.” Officials cited concerns over identity verification, visa overstay rates, and lack of cooperation with deportations.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because the same legal playbook was used for the 2017 Muslim ban. This time, the policy is more detailed and carefully written, likely to shield it from lawsuits. It even lists overstay rates by country and outlines internal consultation processes to justify the bans.
And while Egypt, home of the man accused of a recent attack in Colorado, is not on the banned list, the administration used that incident to justify this policy.
Who’s Exempt From The Travel Ban?
There are a few exceptions:
- Individuals who were in the United States or had valid visas to enter the United States as of the time the proclamation went into effect on June 9th
- Dual nationals (of a banned country and a non-banned country) traveling on a passport issued by the non-banned country
- Athletes, support staff, and immediate relatives traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event
- Green card holders
- Diplomats and international organization staff
- Special Immigrant Visa holders (e.g., Afghans who assisted U.S. forces)
- Immediate family members of U.S. citizens (with proof)
- Certain adoption cases
- Certain immigrant visa applicants from ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
There’s also a National Interest Exception (NIE), which may allow entry for people whose travel serves a critical U.S. interest. However, the process for requesting one is still unclear and likely evolving post-by-post.
Why This Matters
Students, families, researchers, workers, and entire communities are suddenly cut off from travel, education, medical care, and reunification. The ban also raises concerns about racial profiling and uneven enforcement at embassies and ports of entry.
This is not just a list of countries. These are people. Families. Students. Workers. Children hoping to be reunited with parents. Researchers. Business owners. Athletes. Communities.
The travel ban will separate families, cancel education dreams, block urgent medical care, and damage U.S. diplomatic ties. It will also increase racial profiling and fear at consulates and borders, especially for dual nationals and people with Arabic or African names.
For legal advocates, there’s another challenge: the ban is already being interpreted as a visa issuance ban at U.S. consulates, not just an entry restriction. Many applicants are being interviewed, paying fees, and then denied under Section 212(f), often without a clear explanation or a chance to request an exception.
What You Can Do
If you’re directly affected:
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Speak to a qualified immigration attorney immediately. Your options may be limited, but the current confusion may create windows of opportunity.
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Consider a National Interest Exception. It’s early days, and some consular officers may still be open to reasonable arguments, especially for scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, and professionals.
If you’re an employer or school:
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Review travel plans, renewals, and upcoming applications for students, interns, or employees from impacted countries.
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Help document and support NIE requests where possible.
If you’re an ally:
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Share accurate information and help correct misinformation.
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Support immigrant advocacy groups and legal aid funds.
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Use your voice to call out discrimination and push for reform.
This ban went into effect on June 9. We don’t know who could be added next, or how hard it will hit over time.
But we do know this: it’s happening again. And if history has shown us anything, it’s that early, aggressive advocacy can make a difference.
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