The Trump administration has expanded its controversial travel ban policy, with President Donald Trump signing a proclamation on Wednesday that fully restricts entry to the United States from 12 countries and imposes partial restrictions on nationals from seven more.
The sweeping measure builds on the president’s original travel ban introduced at the start of his first term, which faced legal challenges but was ultimately upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. Officials say the move follows a comprehensive review by national security agencies of immigration vetting processes, visa overstay rates, and levels of cooperation with U.S. immigration authorities.
The 12 countries facing a full travel ban include Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Citizens from these nations will be broadly barred from entering the United States.
Meanwhile, nationals from seven other countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela—will face partial restrictions, including limitations on immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, such as B-1 and B-2 business and tourist categories.
According to the proclamation, the ban makes exceptions for U.S. lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, individuals applying under specific visa types, and those whose entry is deemed in the national interest.
“This proclamation is a product of an extensive global review of how countries manage immigration vetting and data sharing,” the White House said in a statement. “Where cooperation was lacking or screening standards inadequate, action has been taken to protect U.S. national security.”
Five of the countries named in Wednesday’s proclamation—Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen—were also included in the original 2017 travel ban, which was widely criticised as discriminatory against Muslim-majority nations. Iraq and Syria, both part of the original list, were not included this time.
Legal experts say the Supreme Court’s previous decision to uphold the travel ban makes future legal challenges more difficult. Nonetheless, immigration advocacy groups have vowed to continue opposing the policy, which they argue disproportionately targets vulnerable populations and undermines America’s image as a nation that welcomes refugees and asylum seekers.