President Donald Trump’s new proclamation fully suspending the citizens of 12 countries from traveling to the United States and limiting travel from citizens of 7 countries went into effect on June 9.
The proclamation, dated June 4, cited reported concerns related to countries lacking proper issuance of passports or documents, inadequate screening and vetting measures, high visa overstaying rates, countries historically refusing to take back their citizens, and, for a very few countries, terrorism.
Fully suspended countries include Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar (recognized by the U.S. government as Burma), Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Partially suspended countries include Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
Amnesty International described the travel ban as “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel.”
“By targeting people based on their nationality, this ban only spreads disinformation and hate,” the organization posted on X.
“The truth is being in the United States is a big risk for anybody, not just for Venezuelans,” Diosdado Cabello Rondón, Venezuela’s Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace, said during a weekly show on state television, according to NBC News. He described the U.S. government as “fascist” and added that the government persecutes Venezuelans for no reason.
The African Union Commission issued a statement expressing concerns “about the potential negative impact of such measures on people-to-people ties, educational exchange, commercial engagement, and the broader diplomatic relations that have been carefully nurtured over decades.”
The commission called “upon the U.S. Administration to consider adopting a more consultative approach and to engage in constructive dialogue with the countries concerned.”
Oxfam, an international human rights organization, condemned the travel ban and restrictions.
“A new travel ban marks a chilling return to policies of fear, discrimination, and division. By once again targeting individuals from Muslim-majority countries, countries with predominantly Black and Brown populations.
And countries in the midst of conflict and political instability, this executive order deepens inequality and perpetuates harmful stereotypes, racist tropes, and religious intolerance,” Abby Maxman, Oxfam America’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
“This policy is not about national security—it is about sowing division and vilifying communities that are seeking safety and opportunity in the United States,” she added.
“This latest travel ban would deny entry to individuals and families fleeing war, persecution, and oppression, forcing them to remain in dangerous conditions. It will prevent family reunifications and America’s historical legacy as a welcoming nation will be further eroded.”
Eight of the 19 banned and restricted countries are predominantly Muslim, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Sierra Leone and Turkmenistan. Half the population of Chad and Eritrea is Muslim.
Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen were also among PresidentTrump’s previous executive order during his first term in January 2017, which banned travel to 7 predominantly Muslim countries. The other two countries were Iraq and Syria.
“It was one of the most chaotic and confusing moments of his young presidency. Travelers from those nations were either barred from getting on their flights to the U.S. or detained at U.S. airports after they landed. They included students and faculty, as well as business people, tourists and people visiting friends and family,” the Associated press reported.
Myal Greene, president and CEO of World Relief, a global Christian humanitarian organization, described the ban and restrictions as “the latest assault on legal immigration processes.”
“It’s always been difficult for most individuals in many of these countries to obtain visas, but this blunt order restricts the entry even of those who meet strict qualifications and undergo thorough vetting,” he said in a statement.
“We urge the administration to reconsider these restrictions and to pursue policies that scrutinize individuals in the interest of ensuring security without banning entire nationalities from lawfully visiting or emigrating to the United States.”
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) labeled the travel ban “discriminatory” and also issued a statement.
“This senseless, prejudicial policy is an abuse of power that also threatens U.S. citizen relatives from the targeted countries. We cannot allow this Administration to continue scapegoating individuals based on religion or nationality,” he said.
Some exemptions from the travel ban and restrictions include lawful U.S. residents, U.S. citizens who have dual citizenship, foreign national employees of the U.S. government who meet certain qualifications, foreign nationals who meet specific criteria, athletes of international and major sporting events, individuals who apply for visas in connection to U.S. family members and children adopted by U.S. citizens.
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