ISLAMABAD (PEN) : President Donald Trump’s latest travel ban came into force early Monday, barring citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. This move marks a revival of the controversial immigration restrictions first introduced during his previous term and signals an intensified effort to limit refugee admissions and illegal immigration.
Countries Included and Scope of the Ban
The restrictions apply to nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, according to a White House statement. Trump also implemented a partial ban on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, allowing limited access for some temporary work visa holders from these countries.
Trump justified the new measures by citing a recent attack on a group protesting in support of hostages in Gaza in Colorado. He said the incident “underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted” or those who overstay visas.
The president also cautioned that additional countries might be added to the list “as threats emerge around the world.”
Exemptions and International Reactions
Certain groups are exempt from the ban, including athletes participating in the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, as well as competitors in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Diplomats from the targeted nations will also be allowed entry.
However, the ban has drawn international criticism. United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk expressed concern, stating, “The broad and sweeping nature of the new travel ban raises concerns from the perspective of international law.”
Within the U.S., Democratic lawmakers have condemned the ban as harsh and unconstitutional. Iranian-American Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari shared on X, “I know the pain that Trump’s cruel and xenophobic travel bans inflict because my family has felt it firsthand. We will fight this ban with everything we have.”
Impact on Affected Individuals
Mehria, a 23-year-old Afghan woman seeking refugee status, voiced the distress felt by many: “We gave up thousands of hopes and our entire lives… on a promise from America, but today we are suffering one hell after another.”
Context Behind the Ban
The White House cited concerns over several nations, including Taliban-controlled Afghanistan and conflict-ridden Libya, Sudan, Somalia, and Yemen, for lacking “competent” authorities to process passports and conduct proper vetting. Iran’s designation as a “state sponsor of terrorism” was also a factor for its inclusion.
The ban notably excludes Egypt, despite the recent Colorado attack involving Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national who had overstayed his visa and applied for asylum in 2022. U.S. officials emphasized that the suspect was in the country illegally, highlighting the administration’s ongoing focus on individuals who overstay visas.
