A new travel ban signed by U.S. President Donald Trump has made headlines around the world. The order, announced on Wednesday, blocks citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. Trump says the move is aimed at keeping “foreign terrorists” and other security threats out of the country.
The ban will officially start on June 9, 2025, just after midnight U.S. time. It will not affect visas already issued before that date. However, for people hoping to travel, work, or study in the U.S., especially from the listed countries, the impact is huge.
The countries under a full travel ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens from seven other nations, including Cuba, Laos, and Venezuela, will face partial travel restrictions.
Trump posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), saying that the U.S. will not allow people who pose a threat to enter. He also mentioned that more countries could be added to the list later.
This is not the first time Trump has introduced such a ban. Back in 2017, during his first term as president, he banned travelers from several Muslim-majority countries. That move was challenged in court but was eventually upheld. It was later reversed by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Now, Trump is back with a stricter version. His team says the countries on the list have poor security systems, fail to share information about travelers, or have high visa overstay rates.
Some international leaders are already reacting. Somalia’s ambassador to the U.S. said they are ready to work with America to resolve any concerns. On the other hand, Venezuela’s Interior Minister accused the U.S. of treating their citizens unfairly and warned that simply being in the U.S. is now risky for Venezuelans.
The African Union also raised concerns, saying this could hurt educational programs, business connections, and diplomatic relations between the U.S. and African countries.
Young people planning to study or travel to the U.S. from affected countries now face serious setbacks. One teacher from Myanmar, who had been selected for a U.S. exchange program, is now unsure about her future. She had worked hard to earn her place, including getting several recommendation letters, but has received no updates since the ban was announced.
By Risper Akinyi
