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Emigration and immigration

Trump's Sweeping Travel Ban Takes Effect, Targeting Nationals from 12 Countries

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

President Donald Trump's new travel ban, which bans citizens from 12 countries from entering the US, has come into effect, sparking international outcry and criticism from Democratic lawmakers. The move, which revives a divisive measure from Trump's first term, is expected to disrupt refugee pathways and further restrict immigration. The ban targets countries with adversarial relations with the US, such as Iran and Afghanistan, and countries facing severe crises, like Haiti and Libya.

Key Takeaways:

  • The new travel ban bars nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from entering the US.
  • Travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela are subject to a partial ban, with some temporary work visas allowed.
  • The ban does not apply to athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, or diplomats from the targeted countries.
  • Mehria, a 23-year-old Afghan refugee applicant, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the new rules, stating that they have trapped her and other Afghans in uncertainty.
  • US Democratic lawmakers and elected officials have condemned the ban as draconian and unconstitutional, with congresswoman Yassamin Ansari posting on X that her family has experienced the pain and xenophobia inflicted by the ban firsthand.

Statistics:

  • 12 countries are targeted by the new travel ban.
  • The ban specifically targets nationals from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
  • Temporary work visas from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela remain partially allowed.
  • 2026 World Cup athletes and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics participants are exempt from the ban.
  • Diplomats from the targeted countries are also exempt.

Sources:

  • Alliance News Ltd. (2025). "President Trump's new travel ban comes into effect, targeting nationals from 12 countries."

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