Starting Monday, June 9, 2025, a new executive order from U.S. President Donald Trump will prohibit entry for citizens of 12 countries, primarily from Africa and the Middle East. The measure, announced on Wednesday, also imposes partial restrictions on seven other nations. The stated justification is national security, citing visa rule violations, terrorism risks, and lack of governmental cooperation. Effective in just a few days, the decision has already sparked global reactions, with affected governments pledging dialogue. The presidential proclamation points to issues like high rates of illegal overstays in the U.S. and failures in issuing official documents. The policy reignites debates on immigration and security, marking the start of Trump’s second term.
The list of fully banned countries includes Afghanistan, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Seven other nations—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—face partial restrictions. Trump justified the order with data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and recent events, such as an attack in Colorado allegedly committed by an Egyptian national, though Egypt is not on the list.
U.S. government data from 2023 shows that some listed countries had high overstay rates—cases where visitors remain in the U.S. after their visas expire. For instance, Chad recorded a 49.54% overstay rate for business or tourist visas. The measure also reflects diplomatic tensions, particularly with countries like Iran and Venezuela, accused of not cooperating with deportations.
- Key points of the executive order:
- Full ban for 12 countries, effective June 9.
- Partial restrictions for seven nations, targeting specific visas.
- Justification based on security, terrorism, and visa violations.
- DHS data highlights high overstay rates in listed countries.
Reasons behind the restrictions
The presidential proclamation details specific reasons for each country. For Afghanistan, the Taliban-controlled government, designated as a global terrorist group, is accused of failing to issue reliable documents like passports. Additionally, Afghans are reported to frequently overstay their visas. The decision comes weeks after the end of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghans in the U.S., which had been seen as a sign of improved conditions in the country.
Iran faces longstanding accusations of sponsoring terrorism, including support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The U.S. government also criticizes Tehran for refusing to accept deported citizens and for lack of cooperation on security matters. These tensions escalate amid ongoing negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, which remain unresolved. Somalia, another listed country, is described as a “terrorist haven” due to the limited authority of its central government, which faces armed Islamist groups.
In Africa, Libya is cited for its “historical terrorist presence,” while Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, and Equatorial Guinea are noted for high overstay rates. For Haiti, the proclamation highlights the entry of “hundreds of thousands” of Haitians during the Biden administration, linked to criminal networks and the absence of a stable central authority. U.S. Census data indicates that, as of February 2024, over 852,000 Haitians lived in the U.S., many having fled natural disasters and gang violence.
Countries with partial restrictions
Seven nations face less severe measures, targeting specific visa categories. Venezuela is accused of failing to issue reliable documents and refusing to accept deportees. The Venezuelan government responded, labeling the Trump administration as “supremacist.” Cuba, designated as a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. since 2021, also faces criticism for not cooperating with deportations.
Other countries, including Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan, were included due to high overstay rates. Laos, for example, recorded a 29.63% rate in 2023, still lower than Chad’s. These nations will face restrictions on tourist and business visas but not a total ban. The decision reflects a selective approach, based on DHS data and risk assessments.
- Countries with partial restrictions:
- Venezuela: Lack of cooperation on deportations and documents.
- Cuba: Designated as a state sponsor of terrorism.
- Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan: High overstay rates.
Focus on national security
Trump’s order emphasizes protecting the U.S. from external threats. The recent Colorado attack, attributed to an Egyptian national, was cited as an example, though Egypt is not listed. The proclamation also stresses the need for stricter visa issuance controls, particularly in countries with unstable governments. In Yemen, the presence of U.S. military operations against the Houthis, who control parts of the country, is noted as a risk factor.
Somalia faces unique challenges. Its internationally backed government struggles to maintain territorial control against armed groups. The proclamation highlights that this instability limits its ability to issue reliable documents and cooperate with the U.S. In response, the Somali government pledged to engage in dialogue to address the concerns raised.
In Haiti, the lack of a central authority is compounded by years of political instability and natural disasters. The proclamation points to the massive influx of Haitians into the U.S., particularly after the 2010 earthquake and rising gang violence. These factors, according to the U.S. government, justify Haiti’s inclusion on the list.
Data and figures
The Department of Homeland Security provides the numerical basis for the decision. Overstay rates vary significantly among listed countries. Chad leads with 49.54%, followed by Congo-Brazzaville (29.63%) and Equatorial Guinea (21.98%). These rates reflect the proportion of visitors who remain in the U.S. after their visas expire without applying for extensions.
- Overstay rates in 2023:
- Chad: 49.54% for tourist and business visas.
- Congo-Brazzaville: 29.63%.
- Equatorial Guinea: 21.98%.
- Eritrea and Sudan: High rates, with no specific figures released.
For Myanmar, the proclamation highlights a lack of cooperation on deportations, alongside high overstay rates. The country, facing a political crisis since the 2021 military coup, is also accused of not sharing criminal records of its citizens.
Initial reactions
Affected governments have begun to respond. Somalia, through its externally based government, expressed willingness to negotiate with the U.S. Venezuela, however, took a more critical stance, accusing the Trump administration of adopting an imperialist posture. Cuba, which has faced U.S. sanctions, reiterated its rejection of the terrorism sponsor designation.
International organizations and human rights groups are also monitoring the situation. The inclusion of countries like Haiti, which faces humanitarian crises, raises concerns about the impact on vulnerable populations. Nevertheless, the U.S. government maintains that the measures are necessary to protect national interests.
Technical aspects of the ban
The executive order’s implementation begins on Monday, with the immediate suspension of visas for citizens of the 12 listed countries. For nations with partial restrictions, processing of certain visa types will be limited. The DHS will oversee compliance and update the lists based on new data.
The proclamation also mentions the possibility of future reviews if countries meet cooperation criteria. This includes improving document issuance, accepting deportees, and sharing security information. However, no specific timeline for such reviews has been provided.
Global context
The decision comes amid geopolitical tensions. Iran, for instance, faces international pressure over its nuclear program. Its inclusion on the list may complicate ongoing negotiations. Similarly, the situation in Yemen, with U.S. military operations against the Houthis, reflects the complexity of dealing with nations in conflict.
In Africa, countries like Somalia and Libya struggle to establish stable governments. The travel ban may hinder international cooperation efforts, particularly in areas like counterterrorism. In the Caribbean, Haiti faces a humanitarian crisis that could be exacerbated by the restrictions.
Next steps
The executive order will be closely monitored by U.S. agencies and foreign governments. Countries like Somalia have signaled interest in dialogue, while others, such as Venezuela and Cuba, maintain a confrontational stance. The DHS is expected to release periodic reports on the measure’s impact, including updated data on overstays and international cooperation.
Trump’s policy marks a stringent approach to immigration, aligned with his second-term campaign promises. The list of affected countries may expand or shrink based on future assessments, but for now, the ban reflects a prioritization of national security.
