On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a sweeping new proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” This action significantly expands the administration’s immigration restrictions by banning certain nationals of specific countries from traveling to the United States, and reflects a major shift in U.S. immigration policy during President Trump’s second term.
The full text of the proclamation is available on the White House website here.
Countries Affected
The proclamation bars entry into the United States for nationals of the following 12 countries:
- Afghanistan
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
Additionally, partial restrictions will apply to nationals of the following 7 countries. These limitations primarily affect immigrants, as well as certain visitors and students, with limited exceptions:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
Effective Date and Scope
The travel ban takes effect at 12:01 AM on June 9, 2025. It applies to foreign nationals from the designated countries who:
- Are outside the United States as of the effective date; and
- Do not possess a valid U.S. visa as of the effective date.
Notable Exceptions
Certain categories of individuals may be exempt from the ban, including but not limited to:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders);
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a non-designated country;
- Individuals holding valid nonimmigrant visas in the following classifications: A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1 through G-4, NATO-1 through NATO-6;
- Athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate family members attending international sporting events (e.g., the Olympics, World Cup);
- Immediate family-based immigrant visa applicants (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and relationship;
- Adoption visa categories (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders;
- U.S. government employees under the Special Immigrant Visa program;
- Individuals facing religious or ethnic persecution in Iran;
- Individuals who in the Attorney Generals discretion would advance a critical United States national interest involving the Department of Justice, including when individuals must be present to participate in criminal proceedings as witnesses; and
- Individuals who in the Secretary of State’s discretion would serve a United States national interest.
Legal and Humanitarian Implications
While the administration cites national security and visa abuse as the rationale behind the new restrictions, immigration advocates and legal experts have voiced concerns over its far-reaching humanitarian impact. The policy is expected to affect refugees, students, and families awaiting reunification, as well as those with pending immigration matters. If you or a loved one is from one of the affected countries—or if your immigration status may be impacted—we strongly recommend seeking legal counsel to assess your options and protect your rights.
How We Can Help
At Wildes & Weinberg, our experienced immigration attorneys are monitoring this evolving situation closely. We are here to help you navigate the legal complexities this travel ban may present—whether you’re applying for a visa, seeking asylum, petitioning for family members, or defending against removal proceedings.
For immediate assistance, please contact us at michael@wildeslaw.com.
* This blog post was last updated on June 5, 2025.