Trump Banned Citizens of 12 Countries from Entering U.S./ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Trump reinstated and expanded a travel ban targeting 12 countries, citing national security risks. The order restricts entry from mostly African and Middle Eastern nations and limits access for seven others. The policy, effective Monday, renews debate over immigration, visa overstays, and executive authority.
Trump Travel Ban Expansion: Quick Looks
- What’s New: Trump banned citizens from 12 nations and imposed visa restrictions on 7 others.
- Start Date: Ban takes effect Monday at 12:01 a.m. with no set end date.
- Reason Cited: National security concerns, visa overstays, and lack of proper vetting systems.
- Countries Banned: Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, Equatorial Guinea, Congo.
- Restricted Countries: Venezuela, Cuba, Turkmenistan, Togo, Laos, Burundi, Sierra Leone.
- Notable Exemptions: Legal residents, dual citizens, diplomats, refugees, and adopted children.
- Reaction: Aid groups and the African Union condemned the move as discriminatory and harmful.
- Comparison to 2017: Echoes Trump’s earlier “Muslim ban,” now broader in scope and rationale.
Deep Look: Trump Expands Immigration Ban to 12 Nations Amid Security Push
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — In a sweeping escalation of his hardline immigration agenda, President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a new travel ban targeting citizens from 12 countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, while restricting visa access from an additional seven nations.
The administration framed the move as a response to national security threats, reinforcing Trump’s aggressive use of executive authority to reshape U.S. immigration and foreign entry policies. The new restrictions are set to begin Monday at 12:01 a.m., with no expiration date outlined.
“We must protect our country from foreign nationals who may exploit our laws or threaten our people,” Trump said in a statement, tying the decision to a recent terror attack in Colorado.
Scope of the Ban
The full entry ban applies to citizens of:
Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela now face visa limitations, particularly those applying for travel to the U.S. from outside the country.
In his announcement, Trump cited findings from a Department of Homeland Security visa overstay report, emphasizing “deficient screening,” refusal to accept deported nationals, and histories of instability or extremism.
Who’s Exempt
Certain individuals will be exempt from the policy, including:
- U.S. lawful permanent residents from the listed countries.
- Dual citizens who hold U.S. and banned country passports.
- Athletes and coaches traveling for major global sports events.
- Afghan SIV holders who worked with U.S. forces.
- Persecuted Iranian minorities fleeing religious or ethnic repression.
- Veteran foreign national employees of the U.S. government.
- Refugees and asylees admitted prior to Monday.
- Immediate family members of U.S. citizens (spouses, parents, children).
- Diplomats, U.N. personnel, and representatives of international organizations.
- Adopted children of U.S. citizens.
The exemptions reflect a more detailed, targeted framework than Trump’s 2017 travel ban, which sparked chaos at airports and courtrooms nationwide.
Backlash and Concern
Humanitarian and international organizations were quick to respond.
“This isn’t about national security,” said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America. “It’s a political strategy to divide and scapegoat vulnerable communities.”
The African Union Commission warned that the move could strain diplomatic ties and hinder development partnerships. It urged the Trump administration to pursue a more “consultative and transparent” approach.
Political Context and National Security Justification
The current order stems from a January 20 executive directive in which Trump tasked top intelligence and security agencies with identifying countries harboring “hostile attitudes” or security deficiencies.
The administration also linked the new measures to last Sunday’s terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, allegedly carried out by an Egyptian national who overstayed a U.S. tourist visa. Egypt, notably, is not included in the ban.
Trump stated, “We don’t want them here,” referring to citizens of countries with high visa overstay rates and weak anti-terrorism protocols.
A Broader Playbook Than 2017
This move expands on Trump’s first-term travel ban, widely known as the “Muslim ban.” Initially affecting seven Muslim-majority countries, that policy faced significant legal pushback before a narrowed version was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
This time, the scope is broader — incorporating non-Muslim countries such as Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, and Myanmar, and using a broader mix of criteria including visa violations and foreign cooperation failures.
Unlike the initial 2017 order, this new ban does not target students, businesspeople, or researchers en masse — though critics argue it will still chill global exchanges and harm vulnerable populations.
Path Forward: More Countries May Follow
A statement from the White House made clear that the list is “dynamic.” Countries may be removed from or added to the banned or restricted lists if they either improve vetting protocols or are deemed an emerging threat.
Officials noted that the list may grow based on security assessments and foreign government cooperation levels with U.S. immigration enforcement.
Impact and Implications
The renewed travel ban is expected to:
- Further complicate U.S. relations with Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
- Disrupt the plans of thousands of individuals seeking family reunification, education, or medical care.
- Create new legal challenges and ignite protests similar to those seen in 2017.
While Republican leaders have praised the policy as essential for “keeping America safe,” civil rights groups and legal advocates are already preparing to challenge it in court.
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