Donald Trump has announced a new travel ban affecting 12 countries. The proclamation, signed this week, will take effect at 2:01 pm AEST on Monday, June 9. The affected countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. In addition to this ban, the US will apply heightened entry restrictions on Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
National Security Cited as Reason
Trump said the move aims to protect national security and the American public. “I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people,” Trump stated. The proclamation follows a directive issued on January 20. That order instructed the departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to review global threats. The agencies were tasked with identifying countries showing “hostile attitudes” towards the United States and determining entry risks.
White House Supports the Ban
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson backed the decision. “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm,” she said in a statement on X. The White House said the banned countries lack effective screening and vetting protocols. Officials concluded these nations pose a “very high risk” to US security.
“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
Improved Cooperation with Foreign Governments
Trump’s proclamation includes a directive for enhanced cooperation with foreign governments. US officials will take steps to improve foreign governments’ identity-management and information-sharing capabilities. The proclamation says the US wants other governments to notify them about persons who may pose a security threat.
Exceptions to the Travel Ban
The order outlines specific exceptions for the travel restrictions. Lawful permanent residents, athletes and athletic team members, and valid passport or visa holders will retain entry eligibility. The Attorney-General or Secretary of State can also approve entry for individuals who serve the US national interest.
Colorado Terror Attack Influences Decision
Trump cited a recent Colorado attack as part of his reasoning for the ban. In a video on the White House X account, Trump referred to the Boulder incident involving an Egyptian national. “The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, as well as those who come here as temporary visitors and overstay their visas,” he said. “We don’t want them. We will not let what happened in Europe happen to America.” “Very simply, we cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen those who seek to enter the United States.”
Details of the Boulder Incident
The incident took place on Sunday in Boulder. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national, reportedly used a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails against pro-Israel demonstrators. US authorities detained Soliman shortly after the incident. He now faces federal hate crime charges and state charges, including attempted murder. If convicted on all charges, Soliman could face more than 600 years in prison. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said ICE detained Soliman’s wife and five children. She confirmed plans to deport them from the United States.
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Comparison to Previous Travel Restrictions
This new proclamation mirrors Trump’s earlier travel restrictions. In 2017, Trump signed an executive order blocking entry from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. That action affected students, businesspeople and tourists from those countries. Legal challenges followed, leading to several revisions of the order. In 2018, the Supreme Court upheld a version of the ban that included North Koreans and Venezuelan officials. Critics labelled the policy a “Muslim ban,” citing its focus on Muslim-majority countries. Trump defended the original order as a security necessity. He said it aimed to protect Americans rather than target religious groups.
Implementation and Future Actions
The new travel ban will become effective at 2:01 pm AEST on Monday, June 9. US immigration and security agencies have been tasked with immediate enforcement. The proclamation urges governments of affected nations to improve security protocols. Further updates and additional measures may follow based on cooperation outcomes.
