Former U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a new executive order barring entry into the United States from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran. The directive, announced Tuesday on Trump’s Truth Social platform, is described by the White House as a measure to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.”
The order marks a return to one of Trump’s most controversial first-term policies, often referred to as the “Muslim ban,” and significantly broadens its scope. Trump cited the recent mass shooting in Colorado as a motivating factor for the action. “America’s security comes first. We will not wait for another disaster,” he wrote.
The ban, which takes effect on June 9, halts most travel from the targeted countries. An additional seven countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, face partial restrictions, including tighter visa regulations and enhanced security checks.
Officials say limited exemptions will be granted to specific individuals, such as athletes participating in major events, some Afghan nationals, and dual citizens who also hold passports from non-restricted countries.
The move has drawn swift criticism from civil rights organizations, Democratic lawmakers, and international human rights advocates, who argue it echoes Trump’s earlier travel bans and could inflame global tensions. The original 2017 version of the policy was met with widespread protests and legal challenges before a modified version was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court.
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to reinstate “extreme vetting” and broaden travel restrictions for nations considered high-risk. The recent attack in Colorado, which remains under investigation, appears to have accelerated the rollout of the order.
The full list of the 12 countries affected by the travel ban has not yet been released publicly.
Nzubechukwu Eze
