WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s new ban on travel to the U.S. by citizens from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries is set to take effect Monday amid escalating tension over the president’s unprecedented campaign of immigration enforcement.

The new proclamation, which Trump signed on Wednesday, applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and don’t hold a valid visa.

The new ban does not revoke visas previously issued to people from countries on the list, according to guidance issued Friday to all U.S. diplomatic missions. However, unless an applicant meets narrow criteria for an exemption to the ban, his or her application will be rejected starting Monday. Travelers with previously issued visas should still be able to enter the U.S. even after the ban takes effect.

Haitian-American Elvanise Louis-Juste, who was at the airport Sunday in Newark, New Jersey, awaiting a flight to her home state of Florida, said many Haitians wanting to come to the U.S. are simply seeking to escape violence and unrest in their country.

“I have family in Haiti, so it’s pretty upsetting to see and hear,” Louis-Juste, 23, said of the travel ban. “I don’t think it’s a good thing. I think it’s very upsetting.”

Many immigration experts say the new ban is designed to beat any court challenge by focusing on the visa application process and appears more carefully crafted than a hastily written executive order during Trump’s first term that denied entry to citizens of mainly Muslim countries.

In a video posted Wednesday on social media, Trump said nationals of countries included in the ban pose “terrorism-related” and “public-safety” risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. He also said some of these countries had “deficient” screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their citizens.

His findings rely extensively on an annual Homeland Security report about tourists, businesspeople and students who overstay U.S. visas and arrive by air or sea, singling out countries with high percentages of nationals who remain after their visas expired.

Trump also tied the new ban to a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas. The man charged in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not on Trump’s restricted list. U.S. officials say he overstayed a tourist visa.

The ban was quickly denounced by groups that provide aid and resettlement help to refugees.

“This policy is not about national security — it is about sowing division and vilifying communities that are seeking safety and opportunity in the United States,” said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, a nonprofit international relief organization.

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro’s government condemned the travel ban, characterizing it in a statement as a “stigmatization and criminalization campaign” against Venezuelans.

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A new travel ban ordered by President Donald Trump will come into effect today. The ban prohibits people from 12 countries — mostly in Africa and the Middle East — from entering the United States. The White House says this is part of its effort to tighten immigration rules in order to protect national security.

The order, signed last Wednesday, includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

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Travellers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will face the new restrictions. It will be applicable to people who are outside the US and do not possess a valid visa.

According to instructions given to US embassies around the world, those who already have valid visas can still enter the country. However, anyone applying for a new visa from one of the listed countries will face very strict conditions for entry into the US.

TRUMP CITES SECURITY RISKS

In a video posted online, Trump said nationals of countries included in the ban pose “terrorism-related” and “public-safety” risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. He also said some of these countries had “deficient” screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their citizens.

“These countries present public-safety risks,” Trump said in the video. “Many overstay their visas and we cannot allow that.”

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He referred to the terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, where the suspect — from Egypt, which is not on the ban list — reportedly overstayed his visa.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration stated that the list could change in the future. Countries can be removed from the list if they improve their security and cooperation with US authorities.

The travel ban is part of an executive order Trump signed on January 20. The order directed the State Department, the Department of Homeland Security, and US intelligence agencies to report on countries showing “hostile attitudes” toward the United States.

The administration says the main goal is to “protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.”

With inputs from AP

Published By: Satyam Singh Published On: Jun 9, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government will complete 11 years in public office today. Several events have been planned to commemorate the significant milestone. Meanwhile, a travel ban imposed on 12 nations by US President Donald Trump will also come into effect read more

It is set to be a busy Wednesday with several events lined up for the day.

Firstly, today marks the day that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will complete 11 years in public office. Meanwhile, a ban on travel to the US from 12 countries will come into effect from today.

Meanwhile, Argentina’s President Javier Milei is set to embark on a three-day visit to Israel. Apple is set to host WWDC 2025 from today where it is expected to unveil a host of next-generation versions of the iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS and VisionOS operating systems. Finally, UK PM Keir Starmer will host Nato chief Mark Rutte in London for talks focussing on defence spending.

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Here is all that will take place today.

Modi govt turns 11

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government will mark 11 years in the country, commemorating a significant milestone since first assuming office in 2014. This date also signifies the completion of the first year of Modi’s third consecutive term, which began on June 9, 2024.

To highlight the government’s accomplishments, an e-book has been released detailing progress across various sectors over the past 11 years. The publication emphasises inclusive and sustainable development, covering areas such as infrastructure, foreign policy, social justice and digital transformation.

Further, PM Modi has directed all ministries to prioritise direct engagement with citizens over celebratory events. Emphasising a people-first approach, he has instructed ministries to focus on addressing public grievances and ensuring effective delivery of government schemes.

Trump’s travel ban to come into effect

US President Donald Trump’s travel ban to the US from 12 countries will come into effect from today. In addition, seven more countries shall face partial travel restrictions.

The countries include Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The additional countries on which a partial ban has been imposed are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

US President Donald Trump’s travel ban will come Into effect from today. File image/AP

Earlier, Trump said the list could be revised if “material improvements” were made, while other countries could be added as “threats emerge around the world”. It is the second time he has ordered a ban on travel from certain countries. He signed a similar order in 2017 during his first term in office.

Argentina’s President Javier Milei to visit Israel

Argentine President Javier Milei is set to arrive in Israel today for a three-day state visit, marking a significant moment in the strengthening of Argentina-Israel relations.

During his visit, President Milei is scheduled to meet both Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. These high-level discussions will likely cover bilateral relations, regional security and economic cooperation.

He is further expected to sign the “Memorandum of Freedom and Democracy Against Terrorism, Antisemitism and Discrimination,” formalising Argentina’s intensified alliance with Israel, reported the Times of Israel. Milei is also likely to visit the Western Wall of Jerusalem.

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Apple is set to host WWDC 2025

Apple Inc is set to host its first biggest event of WWDC 2025 today where it is expected to unveil the next-generation versions of its iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS, tvOS and VisionOS operating systems.

The update will also allow developers to integrate their own widgets. File image/AP

According to a new online report, Apple is preparing a major enhancement for its Apple Watch operating system , watchOS 26, the introduction of third-party widget support within the Control Center. As reported by 9to5Mac, the upcoming feature will enable users unprecedented customisation options, moving beyond Apple’s native toggles and tiles. Along with this, the update will also allow developers to integrate their own widgets alongside existing Apple toggles like Wi-Fi, Battery and Focus Mode.

Some of the other features include a redesigned interface, Apple intelligence integration, third-party control centre widgets and AirPods sleep detection among others.

UK leader Starmer to host Nato chief Rutte

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Nato head Mark Rutte in London today for talks focussing on defence spending. The meeting comes at a time when Rutte pushes for a western military alliance to allocate more money for defence in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.

“You can expect the prime minister to raise how we can ensure all allies meet their stated pledges in support of our collective defence, to keep people safe,” Starmer’s spokesman told reporters. US President Donald Trump has demanded that Nato members boost defence budgets to five per cent of their GDP at an alliance summit to be held in the Netherlands on June 24-25.

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With inputs from agencies

President Trump’s new travel ban is set to come in to effect on Monday, restricting travel to the US from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries.

The move comes amid growing tensions in the US as Donald Trump continues delivering on his election promise to increase immigration enforcement.

The order banning travel from certain countries was signed by Trump on Wednesday and applies to citizens from: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

It also increases travel restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the US and don’t hold a valid visa.

Mohammad Sharafoddin (left) and his wife, Nuriya (right), show a photo of their niece in Afghanistan who’ll now be banned from the US. Credit: AP

Mohammad Sharafoddin, his wife and young son walked at times for 36 hours in a row over mountain passes as they left Afghanistan as refugees.

They had hoped to one day bring their niece to the US to join them – from Monday that will no longer be possible as Afghanistan joins a list of 12 countries restricted from travelling to America.

“It’s kind of shock for us when we hear about Afghanistan, especially right now for ladies who are affected more than others with the new government,” Mohammad Sharafoddin said, referring to the country’s Taliban rulers. “We didn’t think about this travel ban.”

The new ban does not revoke visas previously issued to people from countries on the list, according to guidance issued Friday to all US diplomatic missions. Travelers with previously issued visas should still be able to enter the U.S. even after the ban takes effect.

Many immigration experts say the new ban is designed to beat any court challenge by focusing on the visa application process and appears more carefully crafted than a hastily written executive order during Trump’s first term that denied entry to citizens of mainly Muslim countries.

“We don’t want them,” says Donald Trump as he signs the travel restrictions executive order.

In a video posted Wednesday on social media, Trump said nationals of countries included in the ban pose “terrorism-related” and “public-safety” risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. He also said some of these countries had “deficient” screening and vetting or have historically refused to take back their citizens.

Trump also tied the new ban to a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas. The man charged in the attack is from Egypt, a country that is not on Trump’s restricted list. US officials say he overstayed a tourist visa.

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The ban was quickly denounced by groups that provide aid and resettlement help to refugees.

“This policy is not about national security — it is about sowing division and vilifying communities that are seeking safety and opportunity in the United States,” said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America, a nonprofit international relief organisation.

Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro’s government condemned the travel ban, characterizing it in a statement as a “stigmatization and criminalization campaign” against Venezuelans.

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