Trump Signs Proclamation Banning Travel from 12 Nations, Restricts Entry from 7 Others

Washington – Former US President Donald Trump has signed a new proclamation banning entry from 12 countries and imposing partial travel restrictions on nationals from seven others, citing national security threats.

The proclamation bans travel from the following 12 nations: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

In addition, the order places partial restrictions on travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, limiting or regulating their entry into the United States.

The decision comes in the aftermath of a terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, which targeted a peaceful rally demanding the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The White House linked the attack to national security vulnerabilities.

In a video statement released Wednesday night, Trump said:

“The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, highlights the grave danger posed by foreign nationals who are not properly vetted, and by visitors who overstay their visas. We don’t want them.”

Homeland Security officials confirmed that the attacker, Mohammed Sabry Solima, had entered the US during the Biden administration and had overstayed his visa.

White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson defended the move on social media, stating:

“President Trump is keeping his promise to protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors. These targeted restrictions apply to countries with poor vetting standards, high visa overstay rates, or failure to share identity and threat-related information. He will always put the safety of the American people first.”

The latest proclamation mirrors the controversial travel bans Trump implemented during his first term, which targeted several Muslim-majority nations — including Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Those bans were challenged in court and later repealed by President Joe Biden after he took office in 2021.

With inputs from IANS