Donald Trump Signs Proclamation to Ban Travel from 12 Countries – Details

ByJames William

Because national security and foreign policy are important, the Trump administration introduced strict rules for travelers from countries where many visas expire, screening is suspect and terrorism is connected.


On the basis of heightened concerns about national security, President Trump has issued an order stopping 12 countries from sending citizens to America. On Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the order was signed.


People from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are banned from traveling to the US. As a result, traveling of nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela faced certain setbacks.

The proclamation allows lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, people in particular visa classifications and people whose visits serve U.S. interests to be free of the restriction.


It was explained that this step was set up in line with specific conditions and meant to get foreign governments to cooperate more with the United States.

Reports point out the reasons why some countries are affected. Because the Taliban is a global terrorist group based in Afghanistan, the country is not able to issue official travel documents and does not have efficient airport entry procedures.

Afghanistan also had a significant number of visitors who overstayed their visas such as 29.30 percent for students and exchange visitors.


27.07 percent of Myanmar visitors overstayed on B1/B2 visas and likewise, 42.17 percent of students overstayed their visas and the country did not assist with the repatriation of its citizens.

Last year, 49.54 percent of those holding a B1/B2 visa overstayed their visas in Chad, according to the proclamation which describes this as serious disregard for immigration rules.


More than 29 percent of business travelers and 35 percent of students in the Republic of the Congo were found to have outstayed their visas. The percentage of students who overstayed their student visa in Equatorial Guinea reached 70.18 percent.

Without access to criminal records, the U.S. cannot obtain useful information in Eritrea and the country will not send back any deportees.

It was found that Haiti had nearly 32 percent of business travelers overstaying and has no single law enforcement authority which officials consider a big national security threat.


Both Iran and Cuba are included in the list of countries that support terrorism and they do not comply with requests from American law enforcement.

Libya, Somalia and Yemen are well known for having little or no central control and leaving people in constant conflict. Somalia is recognized as a haven for terrorists, whereas military operations in Yemen by the United States began in 2025.


The countries mentioned aside from Canada share the same worries. Sudan’s documents are not reliable, as the reported overstay rate is more than 26 percent.

Many visa overstay cases were seen in Burundi, Laos and Sierra Leone and these countries also failed to return removable nationals. Frustratingly, Togo and Turkmenistan showed similar instances of not following international rules.

Because of political uncertainty in Venezuela, the civil authority is not competent and 9.83 percent of B1/B2 visa holders stayed longer than allowed.

Even though the rules are strict, the administration pointed out that they are still dependent on conditions. The U.S. can revise or drop the measures if the nations concerned improve their cooperation with security and immigration policies.


The prohibition will come into force on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., so as to avoid the challenges and travel issues seen after Donald Trump’s 2017 ban was introduced.

Before, the Trump administration updated its travel notice by including North Korea and urging U.S. citizens to stay extra cautious because international security threats were increasing.

The U.S. Department of State has placed North Korea (NK) on the same level as other places, telling its citizens not to travel there. The new alert on April 29, 2025 raised the number of countries under the highest threat to 21.


As described in the advisory, U.S. citizens should avoid visiting the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea since they could be arrested, kept for a long time or wrongly detained there.


US passports cannot be used for travel to North Korea, as the Secretary of State grants permission for such travel very seldom.

Due to the lack of diplomatic ties, the U.S. is not allowed to assist its citizens who reside in North Korea by government means. Sweden works for the U.S. on consular issues in Pyongyang,

but insists that it is generally not allowed to visit detained Americans there. The advisory explains that the U.S. government has no guarantee it can arrange your release.


Those with authorization to enter should be ready for unexpected issues and “record a will and name any necessary insurance beneficiaries.”

It stated that the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has the most current information for travelers to and from the United States.

Being included under Level 4 travel warnings, North Korea shows the main reasons why these warnings are given. They are issued for countries where the danger to personal security is very high, usually because of war, terrorism, protests or bad infrastructure.


The Level 4 list includes NK and a total of 21 countries. It consist of Burkina Faso, Yemen, Iran, South Sudan, Syria, the Democratic Republic of

the Congo, Afghanistan, Lebanon, the Central African Republic, Belarus, Iraq, Ukraine, Venezuela, Haiti, Libya, Somalia, Russia, Burma (Myanmar), Mali and Sudan.

The number of places on the list is increasing which shows why careful travel planning is important. Based on changes in security, health and political issues, the four-tier structure is reviewed and altered whenever needed.


Even aside from the most serious messages, the State Department has increased 10 nations to ‘Level 3: Reconsider Travel’ in 2025. Some of these countries are Papua New Guinea, Burundi, Uganda, Bangladesh, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Trinidad and Tobago, Niger, Chad and Pakistan.

Every update considers the current world risks stemming from terrorism, violent crime and political problems. Crime, terrorism and laws against people because of their sexual orientation are the main topics in Uganda’s advisory,

the most recent of which was issued on April 23. It suggests travelers put off their journeys because of the tense political atmosphere leading to the 2026 elections which might cause surprising and growing protests anywhere.


Other than terrorism, armed robbery and sexual assault continue to be common crimes, especially in Kampala, Jinja and Entebbe, since the authorities find it hard to keep up.

In addition, the 2023 Anti-Homosexuality Act has worsened the situation for people who identify as LGBTQ+. The advisory explains that lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals have been subject to assault and harassment all over the country.


Those visiting should avoid participating in demonstrations or staying in crowded places, because such situations may become hazardous.

It is important for them to not call attention to themselves and to notice everything happening around them, most of all while traveling in tourist areas. It is important not to advertise your wealth such as by wearing jewelry or carrying a smartphone.

Remember to exercise caution if you are on the road or the sidewalks at night. Tourists should obey if robbers confront them and should not open their hotel or residence doors to anyone who hasn’t proved their identity.


It is important to pay attention at banks and ATMs since these areas might attract criminals. It is a good idea to use the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) since it lets the U.S. government update you about dangers and other issues.

Since there are risks, those traveling to Uganda should check the latest Country Security Report and get ready for emergencies.


At the same time, security issues in Mexico remain serious which is why the U.S. Department of State issues state-by-state alerts rather than giving a single national warning.

Chiapas and Durango were the focus of the latest changes (September 6, 2024) and the update renewed warnings about violence in those places. It is explained in the advisory that homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery happen frequently and widely in much of the country.

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The United States has issued “Do Not Travel” advisory for Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Both places are affected by constant crime activities, murders and armed battles which may threaten the safety of visitors.

Also, there are “Reconsider Travel” notices for Jalisco, Guanajuato, Sonora and Chihuahua. Conflict between organized crime groups has become a major reason for increased violence in the area.
Shootings in public spots, assaults on law enforcement and kidnappings have been seen even where lots of tourists gather.

According to the advisory, government employees in the United States should avoid traveling between cities at night, not use taxis they stop on the roadway and arrange or request rides using apps. In certain spots, people can only drive on specific highways during the day.


Even though there are many dangerous threats in Mexico, not all areas are considered a danger. Controlling measures in Campeche and Yucatán are called for “Normally Safe” conditions. As a result, people traveling are recommended to stay safe, particularly when they travel outside the main cities.

The State Department advises people to consult individual state warnings when they are planning a trip to Mexico. Different areas in the United States have very different levels of risk and security situations can change at any time.

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