Trump’s Sweeping Travel Ban on 12 Nations Takes Effect, Drawing Global Outrage and Legal Scrutiny

A sweeping new travel ban issued by U.S. President Donald Trump came into force at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, cutting off entry into the United States for citizens from 12 countries and partially restricting entry from seven others. 

The order, framed by Trump as a national security measure to block “foreign terrorists,” is being widely condemned by human rights advocates, foreign leaders, and legal experts alike.

The ban affects travellers from Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen—all of whom are now barred from entering the U.S. until further notice. Partial restrictions will also apply to individuals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

What the Ban Means

The executive order marks one of the most far-reaching travel restrictions implemented by the U.S. in recent memory. It not only blocks potential tourists and students from entering the country, but also cuts off avenues for asylum seekers, refugee applicants, and family reunification processes. For thousands of people in war-torn or politically unstable countries, it effectively slams the door on any hope of resettlement or protection in the United States.

The implications extend beyond borders. The ban could further isolate the U.S. from regions where it has historically maintained diplomatic and humanitarian relationships. It also raises legal questions about the rights of individuals—especially those with previous U.S. ties—being denied access to immigration processes based on broad and opaque national security classifications.

Trump’s Justification

Trump, a Republican in his second term, said the restrictions are aimed at countries that “harbour terrorists,” fail to meet U.S. standards for information sharing on visas, and cannot reliably verify travellers’ identities. The president also cited countries with poor records of criminal tracking and high rates of visa overstays as justification for the ban.

He pointed to a recent incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national allegedly threw a gasoline bomb at pro-Israel demonstrators, as an example of the threats he says the ban is designed to prevent. Notably, Egypt is not on the list of banned countries.

In remarks posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump argued that the measure would “make America safe again” and help “restore control” over U.S. borders. The new order echoes Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries, which was upheld by the Supreme Court despite widespread protests and legal battles.

International Fallout

The reaction from the affected countries was swift and fierce. Chad’s President Mahamat Idriss Déby Itno announced that his government would cease issuing visas to U.S. citizens in retaliation.

“Chad has neither planes to offer nor billions of dollars to give, but Chad has its dignity and its pride,” Déby said in a Facebook post, referring to recent high-profile gifts and investments offered to the U.S. by wealthy Gulf states like Qatar.

In Afghanistan, the ban has left many former U.S. contractors and aid workers in limbo. These individuals, who risked their lives supporting American missions, now fear they’ll be sent back to Taliban-controlled territories where they may be targeted for retribution.

A former translator for U.S. forces in Kabul said the ban was “a betrayal of every promise the Americans made.” He asked to remain anonymous for his safety.

Political and Legal Pushback

Democrats in Washington were quick to condemn the executive order.

“Trump’s travel ban on citizens from over 12 countries is draconian and unconstitutional,” said Representative Ro Khanna on social media. “People have a right to seek asylum.”

Legal scholars also raised concerns that the blanket nature of the ban could violate both international refugee conventions and the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection clause, especially if it disproportionately targets people based on national origin or religion.

Immigration attorneys are already preparing court challenges, arguing that the administration has failed to provide specific, evidence-based justifications for excluding entire populations.

Meanwhile, humanitarian groups are warning of a worsening refugee crisis. Many of the banned countries—Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Afghanistan—are already grappling with armed conflict, famine, or authoritarian rule. With feweroptions to seek safety abroad, more vulnerable people will be forced to remain in dangerous conditions or undertake perilous journeys to other regions.

Global Consequences

The travel ban risks deepening diplomatic rifts between the United States and much of the Global South. It may also have economic implications: some of the affected countries depend on remittances from diaspora populations in the U.S., many of whom will now be unable to bring over family members or visit home.

At a geopolitical level, analysts say the move signals a continuing shift in U.S. foreign policy—one that leans heavily on restriction, securitization, and unilateral action.

“This is not just about travel,” said a senior immigration policy analyst who requested anonymity. “It’s about how the U.S. defines its role in the world. And right now, that definition excludes a large portion of the globe.”

As the ban takes effect, its legal and political battles are only beginning. For many in the affected countries, the message is already clear: America’s doors are closing again.

(This article includes original reporting and material from Reuters.)