What to know about Trump’s travel ban taking effect Monday
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Donald Trump’s travel ban to take effect past midnight: Here’s what we know so far
President Trump’s new travel ban is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 9. This sweeping policy imposes full entry bans on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others, marking a significant shift in US immigration policy. The ban has caused widespread concern among communities with ties to the banned countries, with many scrambling to bring family members to the US before the ban takes effect. Advocacy groups argue that the ban is discriminatory and politically motivated, targeting vulnerable populations seeking safety. However, certain individuals are exempt:Journalists, students, workers, or lecturers with valid invitations or employment contracts in the US, or individuals in need of urgent medical care. In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward filed a class action lawsuit, J.G. v. Trump, challenging the legality of the ban. The lawsuit, filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to prevent the enforcement of the travel ban on behalf of affected individuals.
In a move that has left the world in utter shock, US President Trump has signed a ban on travel to the US from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran, in a bid to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.
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” Starting on Monday, 9 June, citizens from 12 countries are set to be banned from travelling to the US: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
President Trump’s new travel ban is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 9. This sweeping policy imposes full entry bans on 12 countries and partial restrictions on seven others, marking a significant shift in US immigration policy.
As the travel ban is set to take effect in a few hours from now, here’s what we know so far.
Countries affected by the ban:
The travel ban categorizes countries into two tiers:
Full Entry Ban (Red Tier):
Citizens from these countries are completely barred from entering the US under any visa category. The 12 countries affected are:
Afghanistan
Iran
Libya
Myanmar
Somalia
Sudan
Yemen
Chad
Republic of the Congo
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Haiti
Partial Restrictions (Orange Tier):
Citizens from these countries may face bans on tourist and immigrant visas, shortened visa validity, enhanced security screenings, mandatory in-person interviews at an embassy or consulate, and stricter documentation requirements. The seven countries affected are:
Burundi
Cuba
Laos
Sierra Leone
Togo
Turkmenistan
Venezuela
These measures are part of Executive Order 14161, signed on January 20, 2025, aimed at enhancing national security by addressing deficiencies in foreign governments’ vetting processes and reducing risks associated with visa overstays and potential terrorist threats.
What is a travel ban?
A travel ban is an official prohibition on the entry of individuals from specific countries or regions into a nation. In the case of Trump’s 2025 policy, the US government announced a full ban on nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, and Somalia. This means that citizens from these nations are categorically denied entry into the United States, regardless of the purpose of their visit or their individual circumstances.
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The rationale behind such a ban typically centers on national security concerns, such as high visa overstay rates, inadequate vetting processes, or the potential for individuals from these countries to pose security threats. The administration cited these reasons when implementing the 2025 ban, emphasizing the need to protect US interests and prevent potential risks associated with travelers from these nations.
Exemptions and legal challenges
While the ban imposes broad restrictions, certain individuals are exempt:
Journalists, students, workers, or lecturers with valid invitations or employment contracts in the US
Infants, adopted children, or individuals in need of urgent medical care
Travelers with significant business or professional obligations in the US
Legal residents of Canada who apply for a visa in Canada
However, the policy has faced criticism and legal challenges.
Advocacy groups argue that the ban is discriminatory and politically motivated, targeting vulnerable populations seeking safety. The Venezuelan government has also condemned the ban as unjust.
In response, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Democracy Forward filed a class action lawsuit, J.G.G. v. Trump, challenging the legality of the ban. The lawsuit, filed in the District Court for the District of Columbia, seeks to prevent the enforcement of the ban on behalf of affected individuals.
Impact on affected communities
The travel ban has caused widespread concern among communities with ties to the affected countries. In the Bay Area, home to a significant number of immigrants from the banned nations, residents express fear and uncertainty. Many are scrambling to bring family members to the US before the ban takes effect, while local advocacy groups prepare to legally challenge the policy.
Similarly, Afghan-American families are deeply affected.
For instance, Mohammad Sharafoddin, who fled Afghanistan nearly a decade ago, had hoped to bring his niece to the US to escape Taliban repression. However, the new travel ban effectively blocks this path, causing emotional distress and uncertainty for families seeking reunification.
Operational impact
Despite the broad scope of the ban, some regions may experience minimal immediate impact. For example, the Houston Airport System does not anticipate delays or operational changes due to the ban, as there are no direct flights from Houston to the affected countries.
What’s ahead?
The travel ban is set to take effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, June 9. While existing visa holders are not affected, new applicants from the banned countries must meet narrow exemption criteria. The policy is expected to impact US sectors reliant on foreign labor, such as healthcare, STEM, and education.
As the ban approaches, affected communities and advocacy groups continue to mobilize, preparing for legal challenges and seeking to mitigate the policy’s impact on families and individuals.
Donald Trump’s travel ban on citizens from 12 countries takes effect
US travel ban on citizens from 12 countries takes effect on Monday. People from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are barred from entering the US. The entry of people from seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela – will be partially restricted. The ban is part of a wider immigration crackdown in Mr Trump’s second term. During his first presidency he banned travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, sparking a court battle, and sparked a legal battle with the US Supreme Court. A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language is available at: http://www.arabic-dictionaries.com/historical-dictionary-of-the-Arabic-language-and-dialects. For more information on the Historical Arabic Dictionary, visit:http://arabiac-dialogue.com/. For more on the History Dictionary of The Arabic Language, visit http://arbic- Dialog.com.
People from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen are barred from entering the US as of one minute past midnight on Monday, Washington time.
Citizens of those countries are deemed to pose a “very high risk”, the White House said. As well as the risk of terrorism, it said many were prone to overstaying their visas and that their home countries had poor vetting and documentation of travellers. The entry of people from seven other countries – Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela – will be partially restricted.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen,” Mr Trump said.
He gave an incident last Sunday in Boulder, Colorado, in which an Egyptian-born immigrant, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, attacked a pro-Israel gathering, as an example – although Egypt is not part of the travel ban.
The ban is part of a wider immigration crackdown in Mr Trump’s second term. During his first presidency he banned travel from seven Muslim-majority countries, sparking a court battle.
Opponents say the ban is discriminatory and won’t work. “Our national security officers should be focused on investigating serious threats, not barring entry to our country based on bias and pretext,” said the Democratic Senator Cory Booker.
Iran on Saturday said the ban on 11 mostly Middle Eastern and African countries was a sign of a “racist mentality”. Alireza Hashemi-Raja, the foreign ministry’s director general for the affairs of Iranians abroad, said it “indicates the deep hostility of American decision-makers towards the Iranian and Muslim people”.
Chad, anotherof the countries affected, is retaliating by no longer granting visas to US citizens, said its President Mahamat Deby. “Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride,” he said.
The ban makes exceptions for people on special Afghan visas who worked closely with the US government during the two-decade war in their country. Nonetheless, Afghans have expressed fears that the ban could force them back home, where they could face reprisals from the Taliban.
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Trump banned travel from 12 countries, but included some exceptions to avoid legal battles
Trump banned travel from 12 countries, but included some exceptions to avoid legal battles. Some exceptions apply only to specific countries, like Afghanistan. Others are for most of the countries on the list, or are more general and unclear. The new ban takes effect Monday at 12 a.m. It does not have an end date and the State Department will evaluate every 90 days if it should be extended, or changed, or could be changed, the government has said. The ban applies to people from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The restrictions are for people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, who are outside the United States and don’t hold a visa. It also applies to foreign visitors planning to come to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, two of the events President Donald Trump has said he is more excited to host.
Marcus Solis is live at JFK Airport with more on the potential impacts of President Trump’s looming travel ban.
Marcus Solis is live at JFK Airport with more on the potential impacts of President Trump’s looming travel ban.
Marcus Solis is live at JFK Airport with more on the potential impacts of President Trump’s looming travel ban.
Marcus Solis is live at JFK Airport with more on the potential impacts of President Trump’s looming travel ban.
MIAMI — The new travel ban on citizens of 12 countries that restricted access to people from seven others includes some exceptions, part of the administration’s efforts to withstand the legal challenges that a similar policy known as the “Muslim ban” faced during Donald Trump’s first administration.
The ban announced Wednesday applies to people from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. The restrictions are for people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela, who are outside the United States and don’t hold a visa.
Some exceptions apply only to specific countries, like Afghanistan. Others are for most of the countries on the list, or are more general and unclear, like the policies for foreign visitors planning to come to the U.S. for the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, two of the events President Donald Trump has said he is more excited to host.
Some experts agree that the current ban includes exceptions and has fixed some issues that were subject to litigation in the first travel ban.
“Absolutely, the administration is trying to avoid the problems that they had with the first proclamation,” said Jeff Joseph, president-elect at the American Immigration Lawyers Association. He anticipated, nonetheless, that lawsuits are “going to come anyway.”
In one of the most confusing moments of his first administration, Trump issued an executive order in 2017 banning travel to the U.S. by citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries, including Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia and Yemen.
People from those countries were barred from getting on flights to the U.S. or detained at U.S. airports after landing. Among them were students, faculty, businesspeople, tourists and people visiting family.
The order, dubbed as “Muslim ban” by critics, faced legal challenges in the courts for about a year and was amended twice after opponents argued in the courts that it was unconstitutional and illegal. A version of the first travel ban was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.
The new ban takes effect Monday at 12 a.m. It does not have an end date.
Who is exempt from the new travel ban?
__Green card holders
__Dual citizens, including U.S. citizens who have citizenship of the banned countries
__Some athletes and their coaches traveling to the U.S. for the World Cup, Olympics or other major sporting events
__Afghans who worked for the U.S. government or its allies in Afghanistan or are holders of special visas
__Iranians from an ethnic or religious minority who are fleeing prosecution
__Certain foreign national employees of the U.S. government that have served abroad for at least 15 years, and their spouses and children
__People who were granted asylum or admitted to the U.S. as refugees before the travel ban took effect
__People with U.S. family members who apply for visas in connection with their spouses, children or parents
__Diplomats and foreign government officials on official visits
__People traveling to the U.N. headquarters in New York on official U.N. business
__Representatives of international organizations and NATO on official visits in the United States
__Children adopted by U.S. citizens
Trump said nationals of the countries included in the ban pose “terrorism-related” and “public safety” risks, as well as risks of overstaying their visas. Some of these countries, he said, had “deficient” screening or have refused to take back their citizens.
The Proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories and individuals whose entry serves U.S. national interests.
What is different from the 2017 ban?
Critics of the 2017 ban said that it was racial and targeted Muslim countries. Now the policy is broader and includes countries like Cuba, Haiti and Venezuela – nations that don’t have many Muslims. This will make the argument about racial animus, said Joseph, the immigration attorney.
The government has also included potential end dates, and the State Department will evaluate the proclamation every 90 days and determine if it should be extended.
Is the list final, or could it be changed?
The list can be changed, the administration said in a document, if authorities in the designated countries make “material improvements” to their own rules and procedures.
New countries can be added “as threats emerge around the world.”
Exemptions for Afghans
The travel ban has barred most Afghans hoping to resettle in the U.S. permanently and those hoping to come temporarily, but there are several exemptions. One of them is for special immigrant visa holders who supported the United States’ two-decades-long war in Afghanistan.
Another exception applies to all countries on the travel ban and allows spouses, children and parents of U.S. citizens to enter the U.S. The U.S. government can decide to admit or decline their entrance on a case-by-case basis, considering if they serve a “United States national interest.”
How does it affect the World Cup, Olympics and fans?
Iran, a soccer power in Asia, is the only targeted country to qualify so far for the World Cup that will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico next year. Cuba, Haiti and Sudan are in contention. Sierra Leone might stay involved through multiple playoff games. Burundi, Equatorial Guinea and Libya have very outside shots.
But all should be able to send teams if they qualify because the new policy makes exceptions for “any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, the Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state.”
About 200 countries could send athletes to the Summer Games, including those targeted in the travel restrictions, and the exceptions should apply to them if the ban is still in place in its current form. Fans from the target countries willing to travel to the World Cup and the Olympics are not mentioned in the exceptions.
Traveling from abroad for the World Cup and the Summer Games is expensive. In many cases, those who can afford the travel are wealthy individuals or people living in the diaspora, who may have different visa options.