Trump Implements Expanded Travel Ban Targeting 12 Nations

In a move that has concerns national security, U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban officially takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, imposing sweeping entry restrictions on citizens from 12 countries, with partial bans on seven additional nations.

The White House says the order is aimed at safeguarding the U.S. from foreign terrorists, immigration and nations deemed non-compliant with American security standards.

The affected countries under the full travel ban include: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela face partial restrictions, targeting specific types of visas or government officials.

According to the Trump administration, the countries selected were based on several factors, including: Alleged terrorist activity or harboring of terrorist groups, Poor cooperation with U.S. authorities on visa security, Inability to verify traveler identities and Weak criminal record systems and high visa overstay rates.

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President Trump referenced a recent incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national allegedly threw a gasoline bomb into a crowd of pro-Israel demonstrators. While Egypt is not included in the current ban, the president cited the event as justification for tightening national security policies.

This travel restriction echoes Trump’s earlier immigration crackdown during his first term, when he imposed a controversial ban on several Muslim-majority nations, sparking widespread legal challenges and protests. Supporters say the new ban is a proactive step to protect national security, while critics argue it promotes xenophobia and unjustly targets vulnerable nations.

The announcement has stirred criticism from immigration advocates, human rights groups, and some foreign governments. They argue the policy will disrupt families, restrict asylum seekers, and damage international relations, especially with countries already facing instability or humanitarian crises.