Key Takeaways
• On June 9, 2025, U.S. bans entries from 12 countries and restricts seven others citing security concerns.
• Exceptions include green card holders, diplomats, immediate family visa holders, adoptees, and Afghan special immigrants.
• Secretary of State to review country list after 90 days, possibly changing restrictions based on cooperation.
On June 4, 2025, the White House announced a sweeping new presidential proclamation that will sharply restrict the entry of foreign nationals from 19 countries to the United States 🇺🇸. President Trump signed this order, citing national security, terrorism threats, and public safety as the main reasons. The move marks one of the most significant changes to U.S. immigration policy since President Trump returned to office in January 2025. The new rules will take effect at 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on June 9, 2025, and are expected to impact thousands of people hoping to visit, study, work, or reunite with family in the United States 🇺🇸.
Who is affected, what is changing, and why now? The proclamation targets both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants from 19 countries, with a complete ban for 12 nations and partial restrictions for seven others. The White House says these steps are necessary to protect Americans from countries that do not meet U.S. security standards, have high visa overstay rates, or fail to share important information about their citizens.
Let’s break down what this means, who is affected, why the White House is taking these steps, and what comes next for those impacted.
Complete Ban for 12 Countries
The most severe part of the presidential proclamation is a total ban on entry for foreign nationals from 12 countries. These are:
- Afghanistan
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Chad
- Republic of the Congo
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Haiti
- Iran
- Libya
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Yemen
What does a complete ban mean? It means that citizens from these countries cannot enter the United States 🇺🇸 on any type of visa—whether they want to visit, work, study, or immigrate. Both immigrant visas (for those seeking to live permanently in the U.S.) and nonimmigrant visas (for temporary visits, such as tourism, business, or study) are included.
Who is not affected by the ban? The ban does not apply to:
- People from these countries who are already in the United States 🇺🇸 as of June 9, 2025
- Those who already have a valid U.S. visa before the ban takes effect
This means that if you are from one of these 12 countries and are already in the United States 🇺🇸 or have a valid visa issued before June 9, you will not be immediately forced to leave or lose your status.
Partial Restrictions for 7 Additional Countries
The proclamation also places partial restrictions on foreign nationals from seven other countries:
- Burundi
- Cuba
- Laos
- Sierra Leone
- Togo
- Turkmenistan
- Venezuela
What are partial restrictions? These are not full bans. Instead, the White House has limited entry for certain types of visas or for specific groups of people from these countries. The exact details vary by country and visa type, but the restrictions are based on risk assessments and the level of cooperation each country has with U.S. security requirements.
For example, some countries might face bans only for certain work or student visas, while others might have restrictions on family-based immigration. The White House has not released the full list of which visa types are affected for each country, but the message is clear: entry to the United States 🇺🇸 is now much harder for people from these seven nations.
Key Exceptions and Exemptions
While the new rules are strict, the presidential proclamation does include important exceptions. These are designed to protect certain groups and allow for humanitarian or national interest cases. The following people are not affected by the restrictions:
- Lawful permanent residents (green card holders) of the United States 🇺🇸
- Dual nationals traveling on a passport from a country not on the restricted list
- Foreign nationals with certain official visas, including A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, and NATO-1 through NATO-6 visas (these are usually for diplomats, government officials, and international organization staff)
- Athletes and support staff traveling for major sporting events like the World Cup or Olympics
- Immediate family immigrant visa holders (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) who can prove their identity and family relationship. You can find more about these visa types on the U.S. Department of State’s Immigrant Visa Categories page.
- Adoptees with IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, or IH-4 visas
- Afghan Special Immigrant Visa holders and other U.S. government employees with special immigrant visas
- Immigrant visa holders who are ethnic or religious minorities facing persecution in Iran
- Individuals granted National Interest Waivers by the U.S. State Department
These exceptions are meant to ensure that people with strong ties to the United States 🇺🇸, those facing serious danger, or those needed for important events or government work are not unfairly blocked.
Legal Basis and White House Rationale
The White House issued this proclamation under Executive Order 14161, signed by President Trump on January 20, 2025. The legal authority comes from Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows the president to block entry of foreign nationals if their presence is considered harmful to U.S. interests.
Why did the White House take this step? According to the administration, the main reasons are:
- Inadequate screening and vetting: The 19 countries do not have strong enough systems to check the backgrounds of their citizens or share important information with the United States 🇺🇸.
- High visa overstay rates: For example, Afghanistan has a student visa overstay rate of 29.3%. This means many students from Afghanistan do not leave the United States 🇺🇸 when their visas expire.
- Lack of cooperation: Some countries do not share identity or threat information with U.S. authorities.
- Terrorist threats: The White House says some of these countries have a strong terrorist presence or are involved in state-sponsored terrorism.
- Failure to accept deportees: Some countries do not take back their citizens when the United States 🇺🇸 tries to deport them.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson explained, “President Trump is fulfilling his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors that want to come to our country and cause us harm. These commonsense restrictions are country-specific and include places that lack proper vetting, exhibit high visa overstay rates, or fail to share identity and threat information.”
How Will the Ban Be Reviewed and Changed?
The proclamation is not set in stone. The White House has ordered that the Secretary of State review the list of restricted countries 90 days after the ban takes effect. After that, reviews will happen every 120 days. This means the list of countries could change if some nations improve their security cooperation or vetting processes.
If a country starts sharing more information or lowers its visa overstay rates, it could be removed from the list. On the other hand, countries that become riskier could be added.
Historical Context: How Does This Compare to Past Travel Bans?
This is not the first time the United States 🇺🇸 has issued a travel ban. In 2017, President Trump signed a similar order that targeted seven Muslim-majority countries. That ban caused confusion and protests at airports across the country. After several legal battles, the Supreme Court upheld a revised version of the ban in 2018 in the case Trump v. Hawaii. President Biden later revoked those restrictions in 2021, calling them “a stain on our national conscience.”
The new 2025 ban is broader, affecting 19 countries, including ten in Africa. Critics have pointed out that some countries on the list, such as Sierra Leone and Togo, have no known extremist threats to Western nations. Supporters argue that the White House is simply following the law and protecting Americans.
Related Actions: Restrictions on Harvard University Students
In a separate move, President Trump also signed a proclamation restricting entry of foreign nationals seeking to study at Harvard University. The White House claims this is due to national security concerns and says Harvard has not shared information required by the federal government. This is a rare step, as it targets a specific university rather than a country.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants, Students, and Families?
For immigrants and families: If you are from one of the 12 completely banned countries and do not already have a valid visa or are not already in the United States 🇺🇸, you will not be able to enter. This will separate families and prevent many people from joining loved ones in the United States 🇺🇸.
For students and workers: Those hoping to study or work in the United States 🇺🇸 from the affected countries will face major hurdles. Even those from the seven partially restricted countries may find it much harder to get a visa.
For refugees and people seeking safety: The ban could block people fleeing war, violence, or persecution from finding safety in the United States 🇺🇸, unless they qualify for one of the exceptions.
For U.S. employers and universities: Companies and schools that rely on talent from these countries may struggle to fill positions or enroll students. This could affect research, business, and cultural exchange.
Possible Legal and Diplomatic Reactions
The new travel restrictions are likely to face legal challenges. Civil rights groups, universities, and affected individuals may argue that the ban is discriminatory or violates U.S. law. Courts will have to decide if the White House has the authority to block entry in this way.
There may also be diplomatic backlash. Countries on the list could respond by limiting U.S. citizens’ entry or by reducing cooperation with the United States 🇺🇸 on other issues.
What Should Affected Individuals Do Now?
If you are from one of the 19 countries listed in the presidential proclamation, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your visa status: If you already have a valid U.S. visa and are in the United States 🇺🇸, you are not immediately affected. If you are outside the United States 🇺🇸 and do not have a visa, you will likely not be able to get one after June 9, 2025.
- Look for exceptions: If you think you qualify for one of the exceptions (such as being a lawful permanent resident, dual national, or immediate family member), gather documents to prove your status.
- Stay informed: The list of restricted countries may change after the first 90-day review. Check official sources like the U.S. Department of State’s travel page for updates.
- Consult with an immigration lawyer: If you have questions about your specific situation, talk to a qualified immigration attorney.
Official Forms and Resources
If you are applying for a family-based immigrant visa, you will need to use the correct forms. For example:
- IR-1/CR-1 (spouse of a U.S. citizen): Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- IR-2/CR-2 (child of a U.S. citizen): Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- IR-5 (parent of a U.S. citizen): Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4 (adoptions): Adoption Visa Categories
Always use the official government links to ensure you have the latest forms and instructions.
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next?
The White House’s new presidential proclamation marks a major shift in U.S. immigration policy. The administration says it is necessary to protect national security, but critics argue it will hurt families, students, and America’s reputation as a welcoming country.
Key points to remember:
- The ban takes effect June 9, 2025
- It affects both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas
- There are important exceptions for certain groups
- The list of countries may change after regular reviews
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the new restrictions are likely to shape immigration debates and legal battles for months to come. For those affected, staying informed and seeking legal advice is more important than ever.
For more details and updates, visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa news page.
Takeaway: If you or your loved ones are from one of the 19 countries listed in the presidential proclamation, check your visa status, gather documents for any exceptions, and follow official updates closely. The situation may change after the first review, so staying prepared and informed is the best way to protect your plans and rights.
Learn Today
Presidential Proclamation → An official order issued by the president affecting immigration or travel policies.
Immigrant Visa → A visa for those intending to live permanently in the United States.
Nonimmigrant Visa → A temporary visa for purposes like tourism, study, or work.
Executive Order 14161 → The legal authority underpinning the 2025 presidential proclamation restricting entry.
National Interest Waiver → An exemption allowing foreign nationals entry if deemed beneficial to U.S. interests.
This Article in a Nutshell
The White House’s new 2025 proclamation bans all visas from 12 countries and restricts seven others, citing national security and terrorism risks. Effective June 9, exceptions exist for diplomats and families. The list is subject to periodic reviews, potentially altering future travel restrictions and impacting thousands worldwide.
— By VisaVerge.com
