The Trump administration has introduced a new travel ban affecting 19 countries, reviving a key policy from Trump’s first term. Twelve nations face full restrictions, while seven others face partial limits due to national security concerns and high visa overstay rates. Most of the targeted countries have strained or no diplomatic ties with the U.S., and several are either facing political instability or are under authoritarian control. The full ban applies to nations like Chad, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, and Somalia, many of which have been flagged for either terrorism risks or violations of U.S. immigration laws. Notably, the U.S. cited Somalia as a terrorist stronghold and highlighted Chad’s high rate of visa overstays. Meanwhile, partial restrictions have been imposed on countries such as Venezuela, Cuba, and Laos, with the administration pointing to security risks or disrupted relations.
The impact will differ across nations, depending on how many nationals typically receive U.S. visas. Countries like Myanmar, now under a military junta, and Haiti, grappling with extreme gang violence, also feature on the list. Egypt, however, was excluded despite recent security incidents, owing to its long-standing military and diplomatic ties with the United States.