Trump shuts US border to 12 countries in sweeping immigration ban

Which countries are fully banned?

The 12 countries that Trump barred from entry are Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Libya, Haiti, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Myanmar, Eritrea, Sudan, and Yemen.

If the perpetrator of the Colorado attack was Egyptian, why isn’t Egypt included in the ban? Well, Trump explained that Egypt’s exemption  is due to the US’s close relationship with the nation, and further emphasised that Egypt ‘has things in control’.

Regarding the list, the administration cites terrorist threats as a key reason for the ban, noting that countries like Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, and Yemen face ongoing conflicts and host groups like the Taliban, Al-Shabab, and ISIS affiliates.

These nations are often seen as ‘terrorist safe havens’ with weak government control. Additionally, following the US feud with Iran, the latter is identified as a state sponsor of terrorism and is accused of supporting proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

The administration’s ban cites these countries for inadequate cooperation on visa security, identity verification, and information sharing. Under Executive Order 14161, which aims to assess the risks posed by foreign nations, the 12 countries listed posed a ‘very high risk’ to the US. This was mainly due to poor criminal record-keeping, unreliable identity checks, high visa overstay rates, and refusal to accept deported nationals, hindering US immigration enforcement.

While the ban restricts entry from these countries, exemptions exist for diplomats, allies of US forces, personnel for events like the LA Olympics and FIFA, and more. Final entry decisions rest with the Attorney General or Secretary of State based on national interest.

Trump just signed a travel ban affecting 12 countries.

He’s replaying the most un-American hits from his last administration.

The truth is that Trump doesn’t want a real immigration solution. He just wants chaos.

— Democrats (@TheDemocrats) June 5, 2025

Implications of the ban

The Trump administration argues that the ban enhances US security by preventing the entry of nationals from countries deemed to harbour terrorists or pose security risks. Trump supporters see this ban as a fulfilment of his campaign promises to protect Americans from foreign threats, without realising that a big threat to their country sits in the Oval Office.

As a result of this ban, a humanitarian crisis will inevitably develop, as most of these countries have families and individuals who are seeking asylum or reunification within the US due to conflicts within their own countries. Due to the adverse nature of what this might do to political refugees or simply those with hopes of a better life, critics view the ban as discriminatory and arbitrary.

Currently, Trump has made it clear that it does not end with those 12, and even indicated that he would add more nations to the list if security conditions warranted it.

Ultimately, this ban reflects Trump’s increasingly restrictive policies and marks the beginning of a shift toward US isolationism on the global stage. This ban further emphasises Trump’s ‘America First’ vision, resulting in bridges with other nations being burned.