**Trump Enforces New Travel Ban Amid Security Concerns**

Former President Donald Trump has enacted a fresh travel ban affecting nationals from 12 countries, citing risks to national security. The White House declared that an additional seven countries will face partial travel restrictions under the new proclamation, which is set to take effect on Monday at 12:01 (05:01 BST). Unlike a previous measure, this order includes a cushion to prevent the chaos that occurred at airports eight years ago when a similar restriction was imposed abruptly.

In a video posted to his Truth Social platform, Trump referenced the recent alleged terror attack in Boulder, Colorado, as a reason for the tightened security measures. The attack, which left 12 people injured, was purportedly carried out by an Egyptian national. Notably, Egypt is not on the list of countries whose nationals are fully banned.

The proclamation reignites debates reminiscent of Trump’s first term in office when he introduced a similar travel ban in 2017. The original list, which included countries like Iran, Libya, and Somalia, was subjected to significant legal challenges and criticism for allegedly targeting Muslim-majority nations. This revised version is expected to face similar opposition, both domestically and internationally.

In a swift reaction, Venezuela's Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello condemned the new restrictions, cautioning that being in the United States poses a significant risk to Venezuelans and others. Democrat Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal joined in the criticism, labeling the move as an expansion of the controversial Muslim ban and cautioning that it would further isolate the United States on the global stage.

Prominent human rights organizations, including Amnesty International USA and Human Rights First, have denounced the ban as discriminatory and punitive. These groups argue that the policy is another instance of anti-immigrant sentiment reflected in the administration's actions.

Despite the ban's stipulations, there are provisions for exemptions. Certain individuals from the affected countries may still enter the U.S. if they fall under specific categories or if granted an exemption by the Secretary of State on a case-by-case basis in the national interest.

President Joe Biden, who reversed Trump's earlier travel ban in 2021, criticized such measures as staining the national conscience. As the new order faces potential legal hurdles, the debate over the balance between national security and inclusive immigration policies continues to evolve.