Understanding the Latest Travel Bans

On June 4, 2025, President Trump signed a proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”

This executive order reinstates and expands upon previous travel restrictions and cites national security concerns and the prevention of threats from foreign terrorists as justification for the proclamation.

Countries Affected

The proclamation imposes full entry bans on nationals from the following 12 countries:

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

Additionally, the order imposes partial restrictions on nationals from seven other countries:

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

Exceptions and Waivers

The proclamation includes exceptions for:

• Lawful permanent resident of the United States
• Dual Nationals
• Diplomats traveling on valid non-immigrant visas
• Athletes or members of an athletic team and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting events
• Immediate Relative Immigrant Visas
• Adoptions
• Afghan Special Immigrant Visas
• Special Immigrant Visas for United States government employees
• Immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.

Additionally, waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis for individuals who can demonstrate that their entry would be in the national interest.

Implications for Travelers and Visa Applicants

The ban goes into effect June 9, 2025. Individuals from the affected countries planning to travel to the United States should consult with an immigration attorney to understand how the new restrictions may impact their plans.

This advisal is intended for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not act or rely on any information in this article without seeking the advice of a competent, licensed immigration attorney.

For those already in the United States from these affected countries, we recommend that you reach out to an experienced immigration attorney to assess your options and ensure you remain in compliance with immigration laws.

Contact us today to learn more about how this may affect you.  If you have any questions about this or any other immigration issue or for more information on the rapidly changing field of U.S. immigration law and policy, please contact Kolko & Casey, P.C.