International Desk
5 June
Sandeep Dhand
Journalist and Research Analysist
In a major decision to tighten national security, the United States has announced a new travel ban on citizens from 12 countries, citing poor screening and high risk to public safety. The travel restrictions will fully go into effect from 12:01 am on Monday, June 9.
According to an official statement, the countries that are facing a complete travel ban include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. These nations were found to be “deficient in screening and vetting” processes, making them a potential threat to US national security.
In addition to the total ban, partial restrictions have been placed on seven more countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These restrictions include limitations on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, such as B-1 (business), B-2 (tourist), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visa categories.
The reasons for these bans and restrictions vary from country to country. Some of the key factors include the presence of extremist groups, weak or non-existent cooperation with US law enforcement, and high rates of visa overstays. For example, Chad had a visa overstay rate of 49.54% for B1/B2 visa holders, while Eritrea had a 55.43% overstay rate for students and exchange visitors.
The US administration stated that these steps are necessary to protect the country from foreign nationals who may enter without proper background checks. It emphasized that national security comes first and the government must ensure that only those who can be safely and properly vetted are allowed to enter.
This decision follows a recent violent incident in Colorado, where an Egyptian man allegedly set fire to peaceful protesters during a rally supporting hostages in Gaza. Officials said the attack underlined the risks of allowing individuals into the country without thorough security checks.
The move also marks a return to a strict immigration stance similar to a previous travel ban introduced in 2017. That earlier ban targeted several Muslim-majority nations and was later upheld by the US Supreme Court. It was, however, lifted in 2021 by the next administration, which described it as discriminatory.
Now, with a renewed focus on national security, the travel ban has been brought back with broader coverage, affecting a wider list of countries. The government argues that it is not targeting any religion or region specifically, but only acting against those nations that fail to meet proper security standards.
Visitors and immigrants from the affected countries are advised to check the latest travel advisories and visa updates. The US government is expected to provide further details and possible exceptions in the coming days.
The new policy is expected to have a strong impact on international travel, visa processing, and diplomatic relations with the affected countries.