On June 4, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump signed a proclamation introducing entry restrictions to the United States for citizens of 19 countries deemed by the administration to pose a threat to national and public security. The decision is based on deficiencies in identity verification procedures and information-sharing practices in these countries, as well as high rates of visa violations.

A full entry ban has been imposed on citizens of the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. These restrictions apply to both immigrants and non-immigrants.

Partial restrictions apply to citizens of seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Entry under certain visa categories (B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, J) is prohibited, while the validity period for other non-immigrant visas will be shortened.

Exemptions are provided for lawful permanent residents of the United States, holders of diplomatic visas, participants in major international sporting events such as the Olympic Games, as well as for certain categories of immigrants, including refugees and individuals persecuted on religious or ethnic grounds in Iran. The U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security may grant individual waivers.

The restrictions are based on several factors, including weaknesses in personal identification systems, high visa overstay rates, lack of cooperation in repatriating deported nationals, and the presence of terrorist threats in some countries. For example, Afghanistan, Libya, Somalia, and Yemen are cited as countries with ineffective governance and high levels of terrorist activity.

The proclamation takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on June 9, 2025. The U.S. Secretary of State is required to review the necessity of maintaining, amending, or lifting these restrictions within 90 days and every 180 days thereafter. A separate review of Egypt’s procedures will also be conducted in light of recent developments.

This measure is aimed at enhancing U.S. national security and encouraging greater international cooperation in information-sharing and counterterrorism efforts.