By Kemuma Achieng
President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed a sweeping new executive order imposing a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, reviving a controversial policy that was a hallmark of his first term. The move, announced days after a violent incident in Boulder, Colorado, will bar entry to nationals from countries including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen starting Monday, June 9.
The White House cited national security concerns in the wake of the Boulder attack, where Egyptian national Mohammed Sabry Soliman allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower at a protest. Soliman, officials said, had overstayed a tourist visa and applied for asylum in 2022.
"This attack has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by foreign nationals who are not properly vetted," Trump said in a video address posted to X. “We don’t want them.”
Full Travel Ban on 12 Nations
The executive order bans all travel to the U.S. from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. A partial ban applies to seven other countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—restricting most travel except for some temporary work visas.
Each country included in the order is cited for specific concerns. Nations like Somalia, Libya, and Sudan are accused of lacking stable government institutions capable of verifying identity documents, while Iran is labeled a state sponsor of terrorism. The order also references high rates of visa overstays among citizens from several listed countries.
Political and Legal Fallout
Civil rights groups and immigration advocates swiftly condemned the ban, calling it discriminatory and politically motivated. Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, warned that the ban would “once again be felt most by families—Americans who are now unable to reunite with loved ones for life’s most important moments.”
Venezuela’s Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello sharply criticized the U.S. action, saying, “The United States is not a safe country for Venezuelans or for anyone who values dignity and sovereignty.”
Legal experts expect the policy to face immediate legal challenges. The Supreme Court upheld a revised version of Trump’s original travel ban in 2018, but opponents argue the new order may violate constitutional protections against discrimination and infringe on due process rights.
Exemptions and Additional Measures
The new ban includes exemptions for athletes participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Officials said the move is meant to preserve the integrity of major global sporting events while maintaining national security.
In a separate announcement, Trump also barred visa issuance for incoming foreign students accepted to Harvard University, citing what he called “radical ideological indoctrination” at the school. Critics called the move a political stunt aimed at Trump’s perceived ideological enemies.
Broader Implications
Wednesday’s announcement marks a continuation of Trump’s hardline immigration agenda as he campaigns for reelection in 2026. Supporters hailed the move as a long-overdue step to secure America’s borders, while critics warned it could damage international relationships and harm the U.S. economy.
Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson defended the ban on social media, stating, “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.”
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