JUST IN: President Trump issues travel ban for 12 countries, restrictions for 7–barring ‘foreign nationals who are not properly vetted’

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed a proclamation reinstating and expanding a travel ban aimed at restricting entry into the United States from countries deemed to pose significant national security and public safety risks who do not properly vet visas. The action came in response to an illegal alien with ties to terrorism firebombing a peaceful pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado on Sunday.

President Trump said during an address from the Oval Office, "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 further emphasized, "We don't want them. In the 21st century, we've seen one terror attack after another carried out by foreign visa overstayers from dangerous places all over the world."

This action, rooted in Executive Order 14161, titled "Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats," builds on the travel ban from Trump’s first term, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in Trump v. Hawaii. The Proclamation targets nationals from 19 countries, imposing full or partial entry restrictions based on assessed risks, including terrorism, inadequate vetting processes, and non-cooperation with US immigration enforcement.

The proclamation fully restricts entry for nationals from 12 countries identified as having deficient screening and vetting processes and posing a "very high risk" to US security: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Entry for nationals from seven additional countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—is partially restricted, specifically targeting immigrants and nonimmigrants holding B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.

Exceptions are provided for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve US national interests. The restrictions are designed to be country-specific, encouraging cooperation from foreign governments while addressing unique security challenges posed by each nation.

The proclamation cites multiple factors justifying the restrictions, including inadequate screening and vetting processes, high visa overstay rates, lack of cooperation in sharing identity and threat information, and significant terrorist presence or state-sponsored terrorism. For example, Afghanistan is controlled by the Taliban, a designated terrorist group, lacks a cooperative central authority and has high visa overstay rates (9.7 percent for B1/B2 visas, 29.3 percent for F, M, and J visas).

Haitians have high overstay rates (31.38 percent for B1/B2 visas). An influx of illegal aliens from Haiti during the Biden administration was cited as a risk, compounded by the country’s lack of a central authority with adequate law enforcement information. Iran and Cuba are both are state sponsors of terrorism and fail to cooperate with US authorities. Iran also historically refused to accept removable nationals. Somalia has been identified as a terrorist safe haven, and its government lacks control over its territory, limiting effective governance and vetting capabilities.

High visa overstay rates are a recurring concern, with countries like Chad (49.54 percent for B1/B2 visas) and Equatorial Guinea (70.18 percent for F, M, and J visas) showing significant disregard for US immigration laws. Several countries, including Eritrea, Somalia, and Venezuela, have also historically refused to accept back their removable nationals, complicating US deportation efforts.

The president added, "And thanks to Biden's open-door policies today, there are millions and millions of these illegals who should not be in our country."

The Proclamation leverages section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which grants the President broad authority to suspend entry of foreign nationals to protect national security. The Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Trump v. Hawaii affirmed this authority, noting that the original travel ban was “squarely within the scope of Presidential authority” and based on legitimate national security purposes. The new Proclamation incorporates an updated risk assessment conducted by national security agencies, coordinated by the Secretary of State, to reflect current global conditions.

President Trump has framed the proclamation as a fulfillment of his campaign promise to “make America safe again” by restoring the travel ban. In a statement, he emphasized keeping “radical Islamic terrorists out of our country,” echoing rhetoric from his first term when he implemented restrictions on several countries with inadequate vetting or significant security risks. He stated, "In my first term, my powerful travel restrictions were one of our most successful policies, and they were a key part of preventing major foreign terror attacks on American soil."

The Proclamation aims to secure US borders by addressing gaps in global screening and vetting processes, encouraging foreign governments to improve cooperation, and mitigating risks from terrorism and immigration violations. By tailoring restrictions to each country’s circumstances, the administration seeks to balance security with diplomatic engagement. For instance, partial restrictions on countries like Burundi and Laos target specific visa categories while allowing other forms of entry.

President Trump concluded his address with a firm resolve, stating, "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. That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others. The strength of the restrictions we're applying depends on the severity of the threat posed. But we will not allow people to enter our country who wish to do us harm, and nothing will stop us from keeping America safe."