• Trump issues a travel ban blocking entry from 12 countries to address national security and visa overstay threats.
• Seven more countries face partial restrictions due to poor cooperation on security and immigration enforcement.
• Critics say the ban is discriminatory and warn it could harm U.S. communities and international relations.

President Donald Trump signed a new proclamation on Wednesday that blocks travelers from 12 countries from entering the United States. He said this move protects the nation from threats related to terrorism, visa overstays, and weak vetting procedures. Trump explained the decision was based on national security concerns. He made the announcement just days after a firebombing attack in Colorado, which involved a foreign national who overstayed his visa.

The 12 countries facing a complete ban are:

• Afghanistan
• Burma
• Chad
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

Trump stated the order applies to both immigrants and nonimmigrants from these countries. That means tourists, workers, and permanent residents from these nations can no longer enter the United States under current visa rules.

Additional seven countries face limited travel restrictions

Alongside the full ban, the proclamation also introduces partial travel restrictions for seven other nations. These countries will still face limits, but they are not entirely blocked from entering the U.S. Travelers from these nations will need to meet stricter requirements or face limited visa categories. Trump named the following seven countries in the partial ban list:

• Burundi
• Cuba
• Laos
• Sierra Leone
• Togo
• Turkmenistan
• Venezuela

Trump said these restrictions are necessary because many of these countries provide little or no help with security checks. He added that they often fail to share key information about their citizens or help take back those the U.S. wants to deport.

Colorado attack influenced Trump’s decision

In a video posted on Truth Social, Trump referred to the recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. He said the bombing at a synagogue by an Egyptian man with an expired visa highlights the dangers of weak immigration checks. Trump used the incident to justify the new ban. He warned that people who overstay visas or enter without proper vetting bring serious risks to American safety. “We don’t want them,” Trump said directly, reinforcing the need to shut the door on foreign nationals who fail to follow U.S. immigration rules.

The travel ban follows earlier national security order

Trump’s latest action builds on an executive order he issued on January 20. That order, titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other top officials to review countries that fail to meet basic screening standards. Trump told his team to identify nations that lack strong identity verification systems or refuse to cooperate with U.S. immigration enforcement. The new travel ban reflects the outcome of that review.

Trump accuses nations of abusing the U.S. visa system

Trump said the blocked countries take advantage of the U.S. visa system. He claimed they allow their citizens to enter the country and overstay their visits without consequences. He also said some governments refuse to help when the U.S. tries to send people back. According to Trump, this behavior creates a burden for U.S. law enforcement and increases national security threats. He emphasized that visa overstays often tie into broader dangers, such as terrorism and crime. Trump said he has a duty to protect the American people from these risks.

Trump promises to work with countries that cooperate

Although the proclamation blocks entry from certain nations, Trump said he remains open to working with any country that improves its security practices. He called on governments to upgrade their screening systems, share more information, and cooperate on public safety. He said those who meet U.S. standards could see travel rules eased in the future. Still, he made clear that protecting America comes first.

Legal battles likely as critics slam the travel ban

The new travel ban will likely face lawsuits. Trump’s original 2017 travel ban also faced heavy legal opposition. That earlier order focused on several Muslim-majority countries and led to protests and multiple court cases. Eventually, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the 2017 ban in a major ruling. Trump later expanded it to include Venezuela and North Korea. Many expect this new action to follow a similar legal path, with strong resistance from advocacy groups and political opponents.

Democrats and activists call the order dangerous and unfair

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, a Democrat from Washington and former chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, spoke out against Trump’s move. She called the ban “dangerous” and said it expands the “Muslim ban” from Trump’s first term. Jayapal argued that this policy hurts America’s image and isolates the country on the world stage. She said the ban unfairly targets people based on nationality, not individual behavior or threat level.

Jayapal warned the ban could damage the economy and harm U.S. communities that depend on immigrants. She also criticized the idea of blaming entire countries for the actions of their governments. “Banning a whole group of people lays blame in the wrong place,” she said. She stressed that many people from countries like Afghanistan, Congo, Haiti, and Sudan are fleeing danger, not causing it. Many helped the U.S. military or worked in risky areas. Jayapal warned that shutting the door on these people could hurt global stability.

Summary of Trump’s new immigration policy

Trump’s new proclamation blocks travelers from 12 nations and restricts those from seven more. He said the move protects national security and responds to recent events like the Colorado attack. He blamed visa overstays and weak vetting systems for creating serious risks. Trump promised to work with countries that fix their security practices. Legal challenges are likely, just as with the 2017 travel ban. Critics say the policy is discriminatory and harmful to U.S. values and global relations.