On June 4, 2025, the United States government introduced a new regulation, stopping travel by nationals from certain countries, as part of its plan to strengthen security along the country’s borders.
As per executive power, the directive puts a full travel ban in place for citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Similarly, travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela are also subject to partial travel restrictions along with the general travel bans.
The action supports a wider strategy designed to improve the safety of U.S. immigration controls. Officials from the administration explain that the criteria used to pick these countries involved issues of national security and effective cooperation.
They consist of nations not keeping their passports secure by international standards, having problems with traveler screening and not sharing reliable information. Some of the countries selected have a significant number of overstays and are not very helpful in helping the U.S. get rid of nationals with pending deportation orders.
Still, the administration stated that there are conditions under which the immigration restrictions can be relaxed. Green card holders, people with valid visas, some special visa users and those considered to be in the national interest are all exempt from the travel ban.
The purpose of these exemptions is to give assistance to individuals who have close links to the U.S. or who need urgent help.
It was emphasized that the travel measures are only meant to last until COVID-19 is under control and can be further changed if needed.
According to the administration, countries that have greatly improved in areas such as confirming identity, checking documents and cooperating at the borders may be taken off the restricted list.
Since the structure of the proclamation is adaptable to new situations, it places more importance on achieving desired policy results than on simple exclusion.
The representatives of the government stated in the public announcement that their policy aims to ensure all governments uphold international safety standards and must not discriminate among nationalities or ethnicities.
The rollout continues with the U.S. collaborating with these countries on changes that could allow the easing or removal of the regulations.
