Trump Blocks Travel From 12 Nations — Here’s The Reason
U.S. President Donald Trump has introduced a new travel ban that predominantly targets countries in Africa and the Middle East. The directive imposes full travel restrictions on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others, set to take effect from Monday.
The Trump administration justifies the ban on grounds of national security. Citing a recent attack on a Jewish community in Colorado—allegedly carried out by an Egyptian national—Trump emphasized the need for tightened security, though Egypt is notably absent from the list.
Visa overstays and inadequate cooperation from affected countries were also cited as key factors. Below is a breakdown of Trump’s rationale by country:
Afghanistan
The administration asserts that Afghanistan is under the control of the Taliban, a group officially designated by the U.S. as a global terrorist organization. The decision follows the revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan nationals, signaling a perceived improvement in the country's conditions. However, Trump criticized the Afghan government's lack of efficient civil documentation processes and noted a significant number of Afghan nationals overstaying their visas.
Iran
Iran, a country long accused by the U.S. of sponsoring terrorism, continues to deny such allegations. Trump’s order states that Iran contributes to global terrorism, does not cooperate on security matters, and routinely refuses to repatriate its nationals facing deportation. The announcement came amid escalating tensions related to Iran’s nuclear program.
Somalia and Libya
Somalia is described as a “safe haven” for terrorists and unwilling to take back deported citizens. Trump also highlighted Somalia’s weak control over its territory, which hampers the government's effectiveness. In response, Somalia’s government expressed readiness for dialogue. Libya is cited for its past links to terrorism and weak passport control systems.
Haiti
Trump blamed Haiti for contributing to illegal immigration, claiming that large numbers of Haitians entered the U.S. during President Biden’s term, forming “criminal networks.” High visa overstay rates and fragile law enforcement institutions are listed as major concerns.
Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, and Equatorial Guinea
These nations were primarily flagged due to high visa overstay rates. Chad, in particular, was accused of showing “blatant disregard” for U.S. immigration laws, with a reported overstay rate of nearly 50% for 2023. Congo-Brazzaville and Equatorial Guinea posted overstay rates of roughly 30% and 22%, respectively.
Myanmar
Though mistakenly referred to as “Chad” in Trump’s proclamation, Myanmar was targeted for its high visa overstay rates and refusal to accept deported nationals.
Eritrea, Sudan, and Yemen
All three are criticized for having inadequate systems for passport and civil documentation. Eritrea and Sudan face additional scrutiny for high visa overstay rates and refusal to accept deported nationals. Yemen is described as lacking territorial control due to its ongoing civil war and the influence of Houthi rebels.
Partial Restrictions
Seven other countries face limited travel restrictions:
Venezuela is faulted for not issuing proper travel documents and refusing deportees.
Cuba is labeled a state sponsor of terrorism and accused of rejecting deportees and having high overstay rates.
Burundi, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Turkmenistan were included due to high visa overstay rates.
Venezuela criticized the decision, accusing the U.S. government of supremacist attitudes.
Countries with Partial Restrictions:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela