The United States government issued a new proclamation on June 4, 2025, barring people from some countries from traveling to the US because it wanted to maintain strict control over the borders and improve security procedures.
The executive branch issued this directive which hands down a travel ban for citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Besides the full restrictions, partial border controls have been placed on people coming from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
It belongs to a larger approach focused on improving the safety of immigration policies in the U.S. According to officials, those countries were chosen because they had earned place in the proclamation based on national security and cooperation with the administration.
Some problems exist with not meeting security standards for passports, finding faults in how travelers are screened and not having dependable ways to share information. In addition, some of the countries mentioned have a lot of visa overstays and do not properly help the USA relocate citizens under U.S. deportation orders.
Still, the administration explained that the new restrictions are not finished and can change. Those with a green card (permanent residents), visa holders with a valid visa on the record, individuals in a few special visa classes and those whose entry is in the country’s interests can be exempted. They help balance things and be flexible, especially for those who have close links to the U.S. or require urgent help.
The restrictions put in place are meant to last just until a full assessment and possible updates are performed. It was mentioned by the administration that such countries could be taken off the blacklist if they can prove the situation in their countries has improved in identity verification, document authenticity and cooperation at the border.
Being able to change easily, the proclamation’s structure concentrates on policy achievements, rather than removing everyone from a certain region.
In a statement to the public, officials explained that the purpose of the policy is only to ensure that all countries comply with key security rules approved by the international community. The U.S. will continue helping affected countries make changes that might lead to lifting or reducing the imposed ban.