“Our immigration system must protect American lives first,” Trump said. “We cannot allow people from countries that fail to cooperate with U.S. security standards to enter unchecked.”
The ban was developed in coordination with senior members of Trump’s administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. The White House stated that these measures target nations that fail to meet U.S. expectations for deportation cooperation, threat intelligence sharing, and visa overstay enforcement.
According to Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson, the restrictions are “based on data, not discrimination,” and will remain flexible. Countries could be removed from the list if they improve cooperation. Others could be added if new risks emerge.
Among the reasons cited for inclusion:
Iran: Refusal to accept deportees and designation as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Somalia: Identified as a region with active terror networks and limited identity documentation.
Eritrea: Lack of reliable records for travelers and poor deportation compliance.
Haiti: Concerns over rising criminal activity and high visa overstay rates.
The proclamation also includes exceptions, particularly for individuals traveling for international sporting events such as the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup—a nod to the upcoming 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
While Trump’s supporters praised the move as a bold step to restore border security, critics quickly pointed to his earlier travel bans—especially the 2017 order that targeted several Muslim-majority countries and sparked legal challenges before being upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. That order was later repealed by President Biden in 2021, who called it “a moral failure.”
This new order is expected to face legal scrutiny and diplomatic pushback. Several human rights organizations and foreign governments have voiced concern over the scope and implications of the policy. Advocacy groups warn that families may be separated and visa applicants unfairly penalized due to the actions of their home governments.
Still, Trump remains unapologetic. Framing the move as essential to national safety, he stated:
“We have a duty to keep out those who seek to harm our people, our values, or our institutions.”
As the U.S. prepares to enforce the policy, immigration authorities are working to navigate the logistical and diplomatic complexities ahead. Whether this new directive stands the test of time—or legal challenge—remains to be seen. But for now, the message from Trump’s camp is clear: border security is back at the center of the political agenda.
