US President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order that will enforce a sweeping travel ban targeting nationals from 19 countries, primarily across Africa and the Middle East. The order, which takes effect Monday, is aimed at tightening immigration regulations in response to heightened national security concerns.
The White House emphasized that the ban seeks to protect the country from potential terrorist threats and will apply to nations considered high-risk due to weak governance or inadequate vetting processes. However, Trump clarified that the restrictions would not apply to specific individuals such as diplomats and athletes participating in major international events.
Countries Facing Full and Partial Bans
The travel ban completely restricts entry to the United States from 12 countries. These countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
A partial ban has also been placed on nationals from seven additional countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. While travel from these nations will be limited, certain temporary work visas will still be issued.
Trump Cites Colorado Terror Attack as Catalyst
In a video message on social media platform X, Trump linked the new order to the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, stating, “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted. We don’t want them.”
Court documents revealed that the suspect in the Colorado incident, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, is an Egyptian national. He had overstayed his tourist visa and was awaiting asylum since September 2022. Notably, Egypt is not included in the list of countries facing restrictions.
Exemptions for Athletes and Diplomats
Trump’s order makes clear exemptions for certain groups. The U.S. will permit entry to athletes participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The U.S. will also allow diplomats from the affected countries to enter.
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, responded to the announcement by saying, “As we’ve said before, whatever system is put in place (should be) one that respects people’s human dignity.” He added that it is up to each country to decide how to secure its borders.
The proclamation offers justifications for each targeted nation. Countries like Afghanistan, Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen were cited for lacking competent central authorities. Iran, which remains under US scrutiny for its nuclear ambitions, was labeled a “state sponsor of terrorism.”
For many others, including Haiti and Myanmar, the order highlighted concerns over citizens overstaying their visas.
