Washington
US President Donald Trump’s newly announced travel ban came into effect Monday, sparking renewed debate over immigration enforcement. The ban targets citizens from 12 countries—primarily in Africa and the Middle East—based on issues related to security screening and visa overstay rates. Affected countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
Additionally, heightened restrictions apply to people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who are not currently holding valid US visas. While those with valid visas may still enter, new visa applications from these countries will largely be denied unless applicants qualify under narrow exemptions.
This marks a return to Trump’s earlier hardline stance on immigration. His previous 2017 travel ban, widely seen as a “Muslim ban,” led to chaos at airports and faced numerous legal challenges. Officials claim this version is more refined to avoid similar legal setbacks, citing deficiencies in documentation screening and high overstay rates as key justifications.
Critics, including international aid groups and refugee advocates, argue that the move targets vulnerable populations. Oxfam America’s president Abby Maxman called the policy divisive and harmful to those seeking safety. The inclusion of Afghanistan has sparked additional criticism, despite exemptions for those holding Special Immigrant Visas. Trump also cited a terrorist incident in Boulder, Colorado—carried out by a visitor who overstayed his visa—as justification, though the individual was from Egypt, a country not included in the ban.