INVC NEWS
Washington, DC — : United States President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping travel ban targeting 12 countries, including Iran and Afghanistan, in what is being viewed as a revival and expansion of his earlier Muslim travel ban policy. The newly signed executive order also imposes partial restrictions on travelers from 7 additional nations, citing serious national security risks.
White House Justifies Decision Citing Foreign Threats
The White House confirmed that President Trump has signed the order with immediate effect, calling it a protective measure for American citizens. The administration stated that the move follows recent security assessments and is designed to prevent potentially dangerous foreign nationals from entering the United States.
According to the official statement, Trump emphasized the list could evolve, saying, “If material improvements are made, we can adjust the countries accordingly. However, if threats escalate elsewhere, we are prepared to expand this list.”
Full Ban on 12 Countries: Who’s Affected?
The 12 countries now facing a total travel ban to the U.S. include:
Afghanistan
Chad
Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Iran
Libya
Myanmar
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
These countries have been deemed to present significant security threats, and visa processing for all non-diplomatic travelers from these regions will be suspended indefinitely.
Partial Travel Bans for Seven Nations
In addition to the full bans, seven other nations will face partial travel restrictions, which vary based on the type of visa and security cooperation with the U.S.:
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
These countries will experience restrictions on specific categories, including tourist visas, business travel, or immigration-related permits, depending on their diplomatic and security cooperation levels with the U.S. government.
Recent Attack in Colorado Sparks Security Debate
The ban comes just days after a violent incident in Boulder, Colorado, which left 12 people injured. The attacker, reportedly a Palestinian-backed Egyptian citizen, launched a flamethrower and incendiary device attack during a demonstration in support of Israeli hostages.
President Trump referenced this incident as a trigger for reassessing foreign threats, stating on Truth Social:
“This horrific act shows the real, extreme dangers from abroad. We must act before it’s too late.”
Terror Links Prompt Urgent Policy Shift
The White House emphasized that the Colorado attack reaffirmed intelligence concerns about foreign actors exploiting U.S. freedoms to launch ideological or terror-driven violence. Intelligence officials claim that the attacker had prior red flags, but inter-agency lapses allowed him to remain undetected within the country.
Trump’s team also pointed to a growing number of individuals with extremist sympathies attempting to enter the U.S. through student visas, refugee programs, or asylum channels.
Trump’s Policy Echoes 2017 Muslim Ban Expansion
This decision mirrors the 2017 travel ban from President Trump’s first term, which faced widespread backlash and court challenges. Critics labeled it the “Muslim ban” due to its focus on predominantly Muslim nations. The new ban, however, includes non-Muslim-majority countries like Haiti, Venezuela, and Cuba, suggesting a broader scope based on intelligence indicators rather than religion.
Nevertheless, civil rights groups and immigration advocates are already mobilizing to challenge the order in court, claiming it’s a cover for racially biased immigration policies.
Global Reaction: Mixed Response from Allies and Adversaries
While some U.S. allies have expressed concern over the sweeping nature of the ban, others have acknowledged the U.S.’s right to protect its borders amid rising global instability.
Diplomatic channels from Iran and Afghanistan have condemned the move, calling it “unjust” and “politically motivated.” Meanwhile, travelers from affected nations now face sudden disruption, with airlines already updating booking policies and canceling pending travel requests.
U.S. Security Agencies on High Alert
Federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), have been instructed to tighten entry protocols, scrutinize international arrivals, and accelerate background checks on visa applicants from high-risk zones.
Embassy staff abroad have been briefed on the changes and instructed to issue notifications to affected applicants and coordinate with local governments for smooth implementation.
The Trump administration remains firm on prioritizing domestic security, as international incidents and ideological threats continue to challenge American safety protocols. With global tensions at a high and domestic security under scrutiny, the U.S. government is poised to take further immigration actions if threats escalate.
