Former President Donald Trump has officially enacted a travel ban impacting nationals from 12 countries, citing national security concerns, the White House has announced. This marks the second such order he has issued, following a similar measure during his first presidential term in 2017. Trump indicated that the list could evolve, subject to "material improvements" in security conditions, and new countries may be added if further threats arise globally.
The countries targeted by this new ban include:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
In addition to these nations, seven more countries will face partial travel restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The travel ban is set to take effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m. (05:00 BST), allowing more time for preparation compared to the chaotic implementation of the 2017 ban.
The White House has characterized these restrictions as "common sense" measures to protect Americans from potential threats posed by foreign nationals, especially in light of a recent alleged terror incident in Boulder, Colorado. In a social media video, Trump referenced the attack, which resulted in twelve injuries, asserting that it highlighted serious dangers associated with inadequately vetted foreign individuals. The accused attacker has been identified as an Egyptian national.
The announcement has prompted immediate reactions both domestically and internationally. Somali government officials expressed willingness to collaborate with the U.S. to resolve any security concerns, emphasizing their longstanding relationship with America. Conversely, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello cautioned that being in the U.S. poses significant risks for individuals from his country as well.
Democratic leaders have criticized Trump's latest directive, framing it as a continuation of the previously condemned "Muslim ban." Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington stated the ban would further isolate the U.S. globally. Meanwhile, Congressman Don Beyer opined that Trump has strayed from the founding principles of the nation.
This latest travel ban echoes Trump's previous order from 2017, which also targeted several of the same nations and was labeled a "Muslim ban" due to the majority Muslim population of those countries. Although the earlier ban faced widespread backlash and was ultimately revised to include non-Muslim majority countries like North Korea and Venezuela—affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018—President Joe Biden later revoked it in 2021, condemning it as a "stain on our national conscience."
The countries targeted by this new ban include:
- Afghanistan
- Myanmar
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
In addition to these nations, seven more countries will face partial travel restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The travel ban is set to take effect on Monday at 12:01 a.m. (05:00 BST), allowing more time for preparation compared to the chaotic implementation of the 2017 ban.
The White House has characterized these restrictions as "common sense" measures to protect Americans from potential threats posed by foreign nationals, especially in light of a recent alleged terror incident in Boulder, Colorado. In a social media video, Trump referenced the attack, which resulted in twelve injuries, asserting that it highlighted serious dangers associated with inadequately vetted foreign individuals. The accused attacker has been identified as an Egyptian national.
The announcement has prompted immediate reactions both domestically and internationally. Somali government officials expressed willingness to collaborate with the U.S. to resolve any security concerns, emphasizing their longstanding relationship with America. Conversely, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello cautioned that being in the U.S. poses significant risks for individuals from his country as well.
Democratic leaders have criticized Trump's latest directive, framing it as a continuation of the previously condemned "Muslim ban." Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal of Washington stated the ban would further isolate the U.S. globally. Meanwhile, Congressman Don Beyer opined that Trump has strayed from the founding principles of the nation.
This latest travel ban echoes Trump's previous order from 2017, which also targeted several of the same nations and was labeled a "Muslim ban" due to the majority Muslim population of those countries. Although the earlier ban faced widespread backlash and was ultimately revised to include non-Muslim majority countries like North Korea and Venezuela—affirmed by the Supreme Court in 2018—President Joe Biden later revoked it in 2021, condemning it as a "stain on our national conscience."
