President Donald Trump announced a new travel ban on Wednesday, restricting entry to the United States for citizens of 12 countries, a move echoing his controversial immigration policies from his first term.

The ban, effective Monday, June 10, 2025, targets Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. A partial ban, allowing some temporary work visas, applies to Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Trump cited a recent firebombing attack at a Jewish protest in Colorado, allegedly perpetrated by an Egyptian national in the US illegally, as justification for the ban. He stated in a video message that the incident highlighted the dangers posed by insufficiently vetted foreign nationals. The ban will not apply to athletes participating in the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The announcement, made without prior warning and without the presence of reporters, followed rumors circulating after the Colorado attack. The White House defended the ban, stating that it aims to protect the US from foreign terrorists and national security threats.

Specific reasons for each country’s inclusion were provided in the proclamation, ranging from concerns about lacking competent authorities for passport processing and vetting to the designation of some countries as state sponsors of terrorism. High visa overstay rates were also cited for several countries.

The decision has already drawn criticism, with the National Iranian American Council president, Jamal Abdi, highlighting the impact on families separated by the ban. Venezuela responded by warning its citizens against traveling to the US, citing safety concerns. Legal challenges to the ban are anticipated. Separately, Trump also announced a visa ban for foreign students starting at Harvard University.