Us president issues travel ban affecting 19 countries over security concerns

President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation banning travel to the United States from nationals of 12 countries, citing threats to national security and the need to protect Americans from dangerous foreign individuals. The affected nations include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additionally, seven countries face partial travel restrictions: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

The White House described these measures as “common sense restrictions” aimed at shielding the American public from perilous foreign entities. A spokesperson emphasized that the limitations target countries that fail to provide adequate vetting, have high visa overstay rates, or do not cooperate in sharing identity and threat information. President Trump reiterated his commitment to prioritizing the safety and welfare of the United States.

This latest travel ban follows a similar policy enacted during Trump’s first term in 2017, which faced widespread criticism and legal challenges for being perceived as a “Muslim ban” due to the predominance of Muslim-majority countries on the list. The original ban was revised multiple times and ultimately upheld by the US Supreme Court in 2018, despite dissent from liberal justices. The current proclamation reflects an ongoing effort by the administration to address perceived security gaps related to foreign nationals entering the country.

The announcement came shortly after a violent incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian citizen attacked a pro-Israel gathering, underscoring the administration’s concerns about vetting processes. The ban has sparked immediate reactions: Somalia expressed willingness to cooperate with the US on security matters, while Venezuela’s government warned of risks for its nationals in the US. Democratic lawmakers condemned the ban as a divisive and damaging policy that undermines America’s global standing.

This development is part of a broader tightening of US immigration and visa policies under the Trump administration, which has also included recent moves to suspend visas for foreign students at Harvard University, citing national security risks. These measures have intensified legal battles between the administration and educational institutions, highlighting the administration’s focus on restricting foreign influence perceived as harmful to American interests.

The travel ban represents a significant and controversial step in US immigration policy, reflecting ongoing tensions between national security priorities and concerns over discrimination and international relations.