U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order placing a full travel ban on citizens of 12 countries and tightening restrictions on individuals from seven more. The directive, aimed at enhancing national security, will take effect on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 12:01 AM local time in Washington, D.C.
Expanded Travel Bans Cover 19 Countries
The full travel ban applies to citizens from Afghanistan, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Additional restrictions were placed on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
The White House stated the move is necessary to prevent entry of foreign nationals who “cannot be safely and reliably vetted.” Visas issued before the effective date will remain valid.
"We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen… That is why today I am signing a new executive order placing travel restrictions on countries including Yemen, Somalia, Haiti, Libya, and numerous others." –President Trump pic.twitter.com/ER7nGM4TO2
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 4, 2025
Boulder Attack Cited as Justification
In a video message released by the White House, Trump referenced a recent violent attack during a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, claiming it highlights the dangers of allowing unvetted foreign nationals into the country. He warned that “millions” of undocumented individuals already pose a threat to national security.
“We will not allow people into our country who wish to do us harm,” Trump declared. “What happened in Europe will not happen in America.”
History of Controversial Bans
Trump’s latest move echoes the 2017 “Muslim Ban,” which initially restricted entry from seven Muslim-majority nations and faced significant legal challenges before a revised version was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. Critics widely denounced the policy as discriminatory, though the Trump administration defended it on national security grounds.
Harvard University Also Targeted
In a separate executive order, Trump has suspended the issuance of visas for foreign nationals planning to study or participate in programs at Harvard University, alleging the institution has “a troubling record of foreign influence and radicalism.”
The order instructs the U.S. State Department to review and potentially revoke the academic and exchange visas of current Harvard students who meet specific criteria under the new directive.
According to internal communications seen by Reuters, U.S. embassies and consulates were previously instructed to conduct enhanced vetting of applicants linked to Harvard. The university has condemned the administration’s actions, calling them retaliatory and politically motivated.
Earlier attempts by the administration to strip Harvard of its ability to enroll foreign students were blocked by a federal court in Boston. However, the new executive order relies on a separate legal basis, potentially bypassing previous court rulings.
The administration has also moved to freeze federal funding for Harvard, challenge its tax-exempt status, and investigate the university for alleged discriminatory hiring practices.
Implications and Backlash
The sweeping travel and visa restrictions are expected to impact thousands of students, professionals, and families. Civil rights groups and academic institutions have already signaled plans to challenge the measures in court, labeling them discriminatory and politically driven.
The new orders mark one of the most aggressive immigration-related moves of Trump’s presidency, signaling a renewed hardline stance as he intensifies his 2024 campaign themes ahead of the general election.
