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In a sweeping move to bolster national security, President Donald J. Trump has signed a Proclamation restricting the entry of certain foreign nationals into the United States. This action builds upon his previous travel ban upheld by the Supreme Court, aiming to protect the nation from foreign terrorist threats and other national security risks.

This Proclamation, rooted in Executive Order 14161 issued on January 20, 2025, follows an exhaustive assessment by national security agencies regarding the risks posed by several countries. As a result, the entry of nationals from 19 countries will be restricted or limited based on a comprehensive evaluation of their screening and vetting processes as well as their cooperation with the United States.

The Proclamation lists 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, where entry is fully restricted due to severe deficiencies in their screening and vetting measures. Notably, these nations exhibit high visa overstay rates and lack cooperation in providing necessary identity and threat information, ultimately posing a very high risk to U.S. national security.

Additionally, the Proclamation partially restricts entry from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. These nations also present significant security challenges including a high rate of visa overstays and inadequate cooperation in immigration enforcement.

Significant factors leading to these restrictions include the presence of state-sponsored terrorism, high rates of visa overstays, and failures to accept back removable nationals. For instance, according to recent Department of Homeland Security Entry/Exit Overstay Reports, countries like Chad and Burma have alarming visa overstay rates exceeding 49% and 27% respectively, highlighting a disregard for U.S. immigration laws. Similarly, Iran and Cuba, both labeled state sponsors of terrorism, have been cited for not cooperating with U.S. efforts to identify security risks.

To address these concerns, the Proclamation includes exceptions for individuals such as lawful permanent residents, holders of existing visas, and those whose entry supports U.S. national interests.

As President Trump reiterated, the primary goal of these restrictions is to secure American borders and ensure that individuals entering the country do not pose a threat to its citizens. This action underscores his commitment to make America safe again by restoring stringent travel restrictions and addressing the evolving landscape of global security threats.