(MENAFN) U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a new proclamation barring citizens from 12 countries, including Iran, Afghanistan, and Yemen, from entering the United States. The full travel ban, which will take effect on June 9, cites national security concerns such as terrorism, lack of cooperation on security matters, and immigration system abuses.

The list includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. In addition, seven more countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—will face partial travel restrictions.

The ban aims to prevent entry of individuals allegedly tied to terrorism or those seen as security risks, including those who may overstay visas or come from countries that refuse to take back deportees. Iran and Cuba are specifically labeled “state sponsors of terrorism,” and Venezuela is cited for sanctions violations, passport fraud, and inadequate border screening.

Exemptions will be granted to U.S. permanent residents, dual citizens, diplomats, athletes attending major events, those with family or adoption-related immigrant visas, and certain groups like Afghans with Special Immigrant Visas and persecuted Iranian minorities.

Trump referenced a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, involving Egyptian national Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who allegedly threw Molotov cocktails at pro-Israel demonstrators. Trump cited this as justification for the renewed restrictions, pointing out that Soliman had overstayed his visa and had no valid work permit.

The new travel ban has drawn criticism from human rights organizations and foreign governments, who argue the policy is discriminatory and politically driven. This marks a return to the controversial immigration approach Trump pursued during his first term, when a similar ban in 2017 was challenged in court and eventually overturned by President Biden in 2021.

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