President Donald Trump has signed an order limiting travel to the U.S. from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran, citing security concerns. Seven additional countries, including Cuba and Venezuela, face partial restrictions under the new policy. Image: AFP/Getty images
(The Post News)- President Donald Trump has signed an order restricting travel to the U.S. from 12 countries including Afghanistan, Haiti, and Iran citing a need to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors.” In addition, nationals from seven other countries including Cuba and Venezuela are subject to partial travel restrictions under the new order.
Some exemptions to the travel restrictions will apply, including athletes attending major international sporting events, certain Afghan nationals, and individuals holding dual citizenship with countries not covered by the ban.
Announcing the travel restrictions on the social media platform Truth Social, Trump referenced Sunday’s attack in Colorado as part of the reasoning behind the new measures.
“We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen” said Trump in a post on Truth Social.
In a video post on Truth Social, Trump stated that “most terror attacks are committed by foreign Visa overstayers from dangerous places all over the world”. He described his first-term ban as one of his most successful policies, saying it played an important role in helping prevent attacks on American soil.
The new order is similar to a policy from President Trump’s first term in 2017, when he put a travel ban in place for several Muslim-majority countries. The travel ban, which comes into effect on June 9, follows through on a promise President Trump made during his 2024 election campaign. It is expected to face legal challenges soon after being implemented.
Human rights groups have criticized the ban, with Amnesty International USA calling it “discriminatory, racist, and downright cruel.”
“By targeting people based on their nationality, this ban only spreads disinformation and hate,” the group wrote in a post on social media site X.
The U.S.-based group Human Rights First also condemned the policy, calling it “yet another anti-immigrant and punitive action” taken by President Trump.
“The ban will harm refugees, asylum seekers, and other vulnerable populations, including many who have been waiting to reunite with loved ones in our country,” said the organization’s Senior Director of Refugee Advocacy Robyn Barnard in a statement.
“Bans do nothing to make our country secure but rather undermine our national security and arbitrarily target those most in need of protection,” he said.
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