Today, President Donald J. Trump signed a significant Proclamation aimed at enhancing national security by expanding and strengthening entry restrictions on nationals from countries identified as having serious deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information-sharing practices. This initiative seeks to protect the United States from potential national security and public safety threats.
The Proclamation maintains the full restrictions and entry limitations on nationals from the original 12 high-risk countries, as established under Proclamation 10949. These countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
In a decisive move, the Proclamation adds five more countries to the list of those facing full restrictions: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria. Furthermore, it imposes full entry limitations on individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority and extends full restrictions to Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously subject to partial restrictions.
The Proclamation also continues partial restrictions on nationals from four of the original high-risk countries: Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela. Notably, due to positive engagement with the United States, the ban on nonimmigrant visas for Turkmenistan has been lifted, although immigrant entry remains suspended. Additionally, 15 other countries are now under partial restrictions, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Proclamation permits exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, and certain visa categories, including athletes, diplomats, and those whose entry aligns with U.S. national interests. Additionally, it narrows family-based immigrant visa exemptions that have been identified as carrying significant fraud risks, while still allowing for case-by-case waivers.
The restrictions outlined in the Proclamation are deemed essential to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom the United States lacks adequate information for risk assessment. This measure aims to enhance cooperation with foreign governments and uphold U.S. immigration laws, national security, and counterterrorism efforts.
President Trump’s decision follows consultations with cabinet officials and insights from the report associated with Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949. The entry of nationals from additional countries is restricted based on a comprehensive evaluation of country-specific conditions and challenges.
Many of the countries facing restrictions struggle with systemic issues such as widespread corruption, unreliable civil documentation, and inadequate birth-registration systems, which impede effective vetting. Some nations refuse to share vital passport and law enforcement data, while others promote Citizenship-by-Investment schemes that obscure identities and bypass necessary vetting protocols. High rates of visa overstays and reluctance to repatriate removable nationals further highlight the challenges in enforcing U.S. immigration laws.
The presence of terrorist organizations and general instability in several restricted nations exacerbate the risks associated with admitting their nationals into the United States. These factors underline the necessity of these entry restrictions for safeguarding American citizens and interests.
President Trump is fulfilling his pledge to enhance travel restrictions on nations deemed unsafe and to fortify U.S. borders. Throughout his first term, he implemented travel restrictions targeting countries with inadequate vetting processes and significant security threats. The Supreme Court has affirmed the legality of these travel restrictions, emphasizing that they fall within the President’s authority and are justified for legitimate national security purposes.
In June 2025, President Trump reinstated travel restrictions, incorporating an updated assessment of global screening and vetting challenges, thereby reaffirming his commitment to keeping America safe.
Countries like Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria demonstrate high visa overstay rates and significant issues with accepting back their removable nationals. Additionally, the ongoing conflicts and instability within these regions pose further risks to U.S. security.
In conclusion, the newly expanded entry restrictions represent a critical step in enhancing national security. By focusing on countries with inadequate vetting mechanisms and significant security concerns, the United States aims to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.