Trump Imposes Travel Ban on 12 Countries, Citing Security Risks

Trump Imposes Travel Ban on 12 Countries, Citing Security Risks

This action follows President Trump’s initial presidency, during which restrictions were placed on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

RMN News Political Desk
June 5, 2025

Washington, D.C. – President Trump has implemented a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, citing national security concerns. The ban is based on findings that these nations are deficient with regard to screening and vetting and are determined to pose a very high risk to the United States. An additional 7 countries face partial restrictions.

The White House stated that key factors influencing this decision include high visa overstay rates and a lack of cooperation in accepting removable nationals. According to White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson, President Trump is “fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm”.

In a video message posted on Twitter (X) on June 5, Trump said, “”We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen. That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others.”

“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen… That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others.” –President Trump pic.twitter.com/ER7nGM4TO2

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 4, 2025

This action follows President Trump’s initial presidency, during which restrictions were placed on travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, a policy later approved by the Supreme Court in 2018 after several revisions. However, his successor, Democratic President Joe Biden, abolished those restrictions in 2021, calling the policy “a stain on our national conscience”.

[ Also Read: US Tightens Student Visa Rules, Expands Grounds for Deportation ]

The White House statement detailed the specific reasons for including each of the 12 countries under the full restriction:

• Afghanistan: Controlled by the Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group. Lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures. Fiscal Year 2023 overstay rates included 9.70 percent for B1/B2 visas and 29.30 percent for F, M, and J visas.
• Burma: According to the Fiscal Year 2023 Overstay Report, Burma had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 27.07 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 42.17 percent. Additionally, Burma has historically not cooperated with the United States to accept back their removable nationals.
• Chad: The Fiscal Year 2023 Overstay Report showed a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 49.54 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.64 percent. The Fiscal Year 2022 rates were also high at 37.12 percent for B1/B2 visas, indicating a “blatant disregard for US immigration laws”.
• Republic of the Congo: Had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 29.63 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.14 percent according to the Overstay Report.
• Equatorial Guinea: Showed a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 21.98 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 70.18 percent in the Overstay Report.
• Eritrea: The United States questions the competence of its central authority for passport/civil document issuance. Criminal records are not available to the U.S.. Eritrea has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals. Overstay rates were 20.09 percent for B1/B2 and 55.43 percent for F, M, and J.
• Haiti: Reported B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 31.38 percent and F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 25.05 percent. The White House also noted a large influx of “illegal Haitian aliens” during the previous administration, which it claims harms American communities and creates risks like increased overstays and the establishment of criminal networks. Haiti lacks a central authority with sufficient law enforcement information.
• Iran: Identified as a state sponsor of terrorism. Iran regularly fails to cooperate in identifying security risks, is a source of “significant terrorism around the world,” and has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.
• Libya: Lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents. The historical terrorist presence within Libya’s territory amplifies risks posed by the entry of its nationals.
• Somalia: Lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and does not have appropriate screening/vetting measures. Its government struggles with command and control of its territory, limiting national capabilities. A persistent terrorist threat emanates from Somalia, identified by the U.S. Government as a terrorist safe haven where terrorists plan and conduct operations. Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join terrorist groups and has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.
• Sudan: Lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures. Overstay rates were 26.30 percent for B1/B2 and 28.40 percent for F, M, and J.
• Yemen: Lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures. The government does not have physical control over its territory. Since January 20, 2025, Yemen has been the site of active US military operations.

Reports suggest that the Proclamation also partially restricts or limits entry for nationals from 7 additional countries deemed to pose a high level of risk:

• Burundi: Overstay rates of 15.35 percent for B1/B2 and 17.52 percent for F, M, and J.
• Cuba: Listed as a state sponsor of terrorism. The government does not cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States and has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals. Overstay rates were 7.69 percent for B1/B2 and 18.75 percent for F, M, and J.
• Laos: Had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 34.77 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 6.49 percent. Laos has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.
• Sierra Leone: Overstay rates were 15.43 percent for B1/B2 and 35.83 percent for F, M, and J. Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.
• Togo: Showed B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 19.03 percent and F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.05 percent.
• Turkmenistan: Had B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.74 percent.
• Venezuela: Lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures. Venezuela has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals. The B1/B2 visa overstay rate was 9.83 percent.

The proclamation is expected to face legal challenges, drawing comparisons to Trump’s 2017 travel ban, which was ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court. Advocacy groups warn that the policy harms communities and refugee resettlement from repressive regimes, and undermines the U.S.’s global standing.