US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation implementing a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries, citing national security risks, according to the White House.“The Proclamation fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 12 countries found to be deficient with regard to screening and vetting and determined to pose a very high risk to the United States,” the White House said in a statement.White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson posted on X: “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm.”During his initial presidency, Trump introduced restrictions on travellers from seven predominantly Muslim countries, a policy that underwent several revisions before receiving Supreme Court approval in 2018, Reuters reported. However, his successor, Democratic President Joe Biden, abolished these restrictions in 2021, stating it was “a stain on our national conscience.”
Which are the 12 countries?
Afghanistan: The US said that Afghanistan, which is under the control of Taliban – designated as SDGT group, has no effective central authority to handle passport issuance or civil documentation. The nation also lacks proper screening and vetting protocols. The White House statement referenced the Fiscal Year 2023 DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Report, which revealed that Afghan nationals had a 9.70 percent overstay rate for business/tourist (B1/B2) visas. Additionally, the report indicated a significantly higher overstay rate of 29.30 percent for student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa categories.
Myanmar
: According to the US citing 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: “According to the Overstay Report, Chad had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 49.54 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.64 percent. According to the Fiscal Year 2022 Overstay Report, Chad had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 37.12 percent. The high visa overstay rate for 2022 and 2023 is unacceptable and indicates a blatant disregard for US immigration laws,” as per the statement released by the White House. Republic of the Congo: As per the US, the Republic of the Congo exhibited significant visa overstay percentages, as detailed in the Overstay Report. The data revealed that 29.63 percent of B1/B2 visa holders remained beyond their authorised stay. Additionally, for academic-related visas (F, M, and J categories), the overstay rate was notably higher at 35.14 percent.Equatorial Guinea: “According to the Overstay Report, Equatorial Guinea had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 21.98 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 70.18 percent,” the statement read. Eritrea: The United States questions the competence of the central authority for issuance of passports or civil documents in Eritrea. Criminal records are not available to the United States for Eritrean nationals. Eritrea has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals. According to the Overstay Report, Eritrea had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 20.09 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.43 percent.Haiti: According to the White House citing Overstay Report, Haiti had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 31.38 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 25.05 percent. The statement also claimed that hundreds of thousands of illegal Haitian aliens flooded into the United States during the Biden administration. This influx harms American communities by creating acute risks of increased overstay rates, establishment of criminal networks, and other national security threats.The US also said that the Haiti lacks a central authority with sufficient availability and dissemination of law enforcement information necessary to ensure its nationals do not undermine the national security of the United States.Iran: The United States Government has designated Iran as a nation that supports terrorist activities. According to the White House statement, Iran consistently demonstrates non-cooperation with American authorities in identifying potential security threats. Additionally, the country serves as a significant source of global terrorism and has shown a persistent unwillingness to accept the return of its deportable citizens.Libya: According to the US, Libya lacks a functioning central government capable of issuing reliable passports and civil documentation. The nation’s ongoing challenges with terrorist organisations operating within its borders heighten security concerns regarding the admission of Libyan nationals into the United States.Somalia: “Somalia lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures. Somalia stands apart from other countries in the degree to which its government lacks command and control of its territory, which greatly limits the effectiveness of its national capabilities in a variety of respects,” the White House said in a statement. According to the US, the persistent terrorist threat emanates from Somalia’s territory. The United States Government has identified Somalia as a terrorist safe haven. Terrorists use regions of Somalia as safe havens from which they plan, facilitate, and conduct their operations. Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join terrorist groups that threaten the national security of the United States. “The Government of Somalia struggles to provide governance needed to limit terrorists’ freedom of movement. Additionally, Somalia has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals,” the statement reads.Sudan: According to the US, the nation faces significant challenges in document verification due to the absence of an effective central governing body responsible for passport and civil documentation issuance. The country also lacks proper screening protocols, as stated by the White House. Yemen: In a statement, the White House said that Yemen operates without an efficient central authority to manage passport and civil document issuance, alongside inadequate screening procedures. It also said that their inability to maintain territorial control compounds these issues. Since January 20, 2025, Yemen has been experiencing ongoing US military activities within its borders.The Proclamation partially also restrict and limit the entry of nationals from 7 countries who also pose a high level of risk to the United States.
Trump’s order partially restricts travel from 7 other countries: Which are they?
- Burundi: According to the White House citing Overstay Report, Burundi had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.52 percent.
- Cuba: The US called Cuba, a state sponsor of terrorism, and said that their government does not cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States. “Cuba has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals. According to the Overstay Report, Cuba had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 7.69 percent and a F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 18.75 percent,” the White House said in a statement.
- Laos: According to the White House citing Overstay Report, Laos had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 34.77 percent and a F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 6.49 percent. Laos has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.
- Sierra Leone: “According to the Overstay Report, Sierra Leone had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 15.43 percent and a F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83 percent. Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals,” the White House said in a statement.
- Togo: The United States claimed that the Togo had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 19.03 percent and a F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.05 percent.
- Turkmenistan: According to the White House citing Overstay Report, Turkmenistan had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and a F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.74 percent.
- Venezuela: As per the White House’s statement, Venezuela lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures. Venezuela has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals. According to the Overstay Report, Venezuela had a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 9.83 percent.
