Trump’s 2025 Travel Ban: Full and Partial Restrictions on 19 Countries Begin June 9

The most consequential immigration moves, Trump’s 2025 Travel Ban: Full and Partial Restrictions on 19 Countries Begin June 9. U.S. President Donald Trump has reignited a national and global debate by reinstating and expanding his travel ban, targeting 19 countries with sweeping new visa restrictions. The Trump 2025 travel ban, which takes effect June 9 at 12:01 a.m. EDT, includes both full and partial travel bans, impacting more than 226,000 people annually.

This move has reignited comparisons to Trump’s earlier executive orders, including the controversial 2017 Muslim ban, and sparked a fresh wave of criticism from human rights advocates, immigration experts, and foreign governments.

Trump’s 2025 Travel Ban: Full and Partial Restrictions on 19 Countries Begin June 9

Full Ban on 12 Countries: Who’s Barred From Entering the U.S.?

Twelve countries are facing total visa bans, meaning that their nationals will be barred from receiving both immigrant and non-immigrant visas. This effectively shuts down travel for tourism, study, work, and family reunification.

The fully banned countries are:

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

Citizens from these nations will not be allowed to enter the U.S. unless they qualify for specific, narrow exemptions.

Partial Visa Restrictions: Limited Entry for Seven Countries

The Trump travel ban 2025 also imposes partial restrictions on seven other nations, where select visa categories will be significantly curtailed. These countries include:

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

While some non-immigrant visas such as those for students, business visitors, and exchange programs may still be issued under limited conditions, the number of approvals is expected to plummet. Immigrant visa issuance will also be heavily restricted.

Who Is Affected? And Who Is Exempt?

The policy is expected to affect over 226,500 people annually, based on 2023 U.S. State Department data. In that year alone, over 112,000 visas were granted to nationals from the 12 fully banned countries and 115,000 visas to those from the partially restricted group.

However, not everyone is affected. The Trump administration’s travel order includes exceptions for:

• U.S. green card holders
• Dual nationals traveling on a non-banned country passport
• Diplomats
• Athletes and families attending major global events like the Olympics or World Cup
• Immediate family members with proof of relationship
• Adoptees
• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders
• Persecuted minorities, particularly from Iran

Those who already hold valid visas issued before June 9 will also be allowed entry.

Why These Countries? Trump’s National Security Justification

According to the official White House proclamation, the targeted nations were chosen due to:

• High visa over stay rates (e.g., Chad at 49.5%, Eritrea 20%)
• Lack of passport or identity verification infrastructure
• Refusal to accept deported nationals
• Active war zones and instability in countries like Somalia, Libya, and Afghanistan

Trump tied the need for renewed restrictions to a recent attack in Colorado on a pro-Israel rally by an Egyptian asylum seeker, saying that “we want to keep bad people out of our country.”

Critics, however, were quick to point out that Egypt and Kuwait, where the attacker had lived, are not on the list. This discrepancy has prompted accusations of inconsistency and political opportunism.

Critics Call It “Muslim Ban 2.0”

Civil rights groups and immigration advocates have called the order a revival of Trump’s original 2017 “Muslim ban,” albeit broader and more strategically framed.

Although the new ban includes countries from Africa, Latin America, and Asia making it harder to argue religious bias many believe the targeting of majority-Muslim nations is still central to the policy.

“This is the same playbook,” said Laurie Ball Cooper from the International Refugee Assistance Project. “The administration is once again using immigration laws to punish minorities and create fear.”

Impact on Families, Students, and Refugees

Despite the list of exemptions, critics say the real-world impact will be devastating. Families that were on the verge of reuniting after years of separation could now be indefinitely stalled.

Many foreign students, researchers, and skilled workers from the affected countries some of whom have lived in the U.S. for years now face uncertainty.

According to legal experts, the ban disproportionately affects people who followed legal processes and were awaiting final steps in their visa or immigration journey.

Is the Ban a Distraction?

The timing of the executive order five months into Trump’s second term has raised eyebrows. With a controversial tax bill favoring the wealthy making headlines and a public feud with Elon Musk dominating social media, some politicians argue the ban serves as a distraction.

Senator Chris Murphy said: “It’s not just about who gets banned. It’s about shifting the conversation away from real issues, like the tax breaks for billionaires, and toward a headline that energizes Trump’s base.”

Trump 2025 Travel Ban vs 2017: What’s Different?

Unlike the 2017 version, the 2025 Trump travel ban includes:

• A delayed implementation (June 9)
• Carve-outs for current visa holders and green card residents
• Broader geographic and religious diversity among affected nations
• Detailed justification in the proclamation

While critics say the new ban is more “thought-out” legally, they also warn it may be harder to challenge in court.

Could More Countries Be Added?

Yes. Trump has made it clear that more countries could be added based on “ongoing security assessments.” Countries may also be removed if they show “material improvement” in identity verification and cooperation on deportations.

This open-ended clause keeps immigrant communities on edge, as people from other high-overstay or high-risk nations fear being next.

Final Thoughts: A Divisive Order with Lasting Impact

The Trump 2025 travel ban is shaping up to be one of the most consequential immigration moves of his second term. While the administration insists it’s about national security and safety, the broad scope and selective exemptions suggest deeper political motivations.

For the thousands of families and individuals caught in limbo, the reality is simple: doors are closing, and futures remain uncertain. As June 9 approaches, human rights groups, legal experts, and affected communities are bracing for a new era in America’s immigration story one defined once again by barriers, bans, and backlash.

Also Read: Trump’s Controversial Travel Ban Takes Effect, Targeting 12 Nations Amid Global Backlash

Also Read: A Guide to the Countries on Trump’s 2025 Travel Ban List