Trump Reinstates Travel Ban on 12 Countries, Cites National Security Concerns

Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban targeting 12 countries, reviving a key policy from his first term. The ban, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 9, 2025, will prohibit citizens from countries including Haiti, Iran, Somalia, and Yemen from entering the United States. Additionally, visitors from seven other nations, such as Cuba and Venezuela, will face heightened travel restrictions.

The decision follows an executive order issued by Trump on January 20, directing federal agencies to assess countries deemed to pose national security risks. The ban is grounded in data from the Department of Homeland Security, with a focus on high rates of visa overstays and weak security vetting procedures in the affected countries.

In a video released on social media, Trump linked the policy to a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, carried out by a suspect from Egypt — a country not on the list — who had overstayed a tourist visa. The president said the incident highlighted the need to strengthen immigration controls and prevent future threats.

“I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump declared in his proclamation.

Notably, Haiti — which was not included in Trump’s original travel ban during his first term — has now been added. The administration cited high numbers of illegal border crossings and overstay rates, as well as the country’s deteriorating security situation. According to Trump, the lack of a functioning central authority in Haiti poses a risk to U.S. national security.

The policy is expected to face strong reactions both domestically and abroad. However, Trump’s team believes the administration is on firmer legal ground this time, following a previous Supreme Court ruling that upheld the legality of an earlier version of the travel ban.

The affected nations include: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additional restrictions will apply to citizens of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.