On June 9, 2025, US President Donald Trump put a new travel ban into action. This ban stops people from 12 countries from entering the United States. The reason given is national security, especially after a recent attack by a man who had overstayed his visa. The ban mostly affects refugees and immigrants, but there are some expectations.
Why the Travel Ban was Made?
President Trump said the recent attack in Colorado showed that people who are not properly checked before coming to the US can be dangerous. He added that some countries do not have strong governments to check their people’s background, especially war-torn or unstable nations. Some other countries were added because people from there often stay longer than allowed after entering the US.
Which Countries are on the Ban List?
The full travel ban applies to these 12 countries:
- Afghanistan
- Chad
- Congo-Brazzaville
- Eritrea
- Equatorial Guinea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
A partial ban applies to these 8 countries:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
People from the second group may still be allowed on temporary work visas in some cases.
Who is Still Allowed to Enter?
There are a few expectations to the travel ban:
- Athletes who are coming for the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics
- Diplomats from the listed countries
- People with valid US visas from before June 9, 2025
These people can still come to the US unless their situations change.
What Happens to New Visa Applications?
If someone from one of the banned countries applies for a new visa, their application will most likely be denied – unless they meet special, strict conditions. These conditions are very narrow, so only a few people may get approved.
What’s Next?
President Trump warned that more countries could be added to the ban in the future if the US sees new security threats. The situation may change again depending on future events or new policies.