Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Quds Governorate: Today, the spatial division of Al-Aqsa Mosque began in a public and dangerous manner, and we warn of a religious war in the region
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: This brings the total number of victims of famine and malnutrition to 175, including 93 children
The Ministry of Health in Gaza: Gaza's hospitals recorded six deaths due to starvation and malnutrition in the past 24 hours, all of them adults
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: A new chapter in relations between Iran and the International Atomic Energy Agency will begin within the framework of the new law passed by Parliament
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: The talks will focus on the political aspect, and the agency's delegation will not be accompanied by any inspector
Informed sources to Al Mayadeen: An IAEA delegation will visit Tehran next week to discuss mechanisms for implementing the parliament's law suspending cooperation with the agency
Palestinian media: Herds of Israeli settlers storm the al-Aqsa Mosque and perform Talmudic rituals in it
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: 15 martyrs were transferred to hospitals in the Gaza Strip in the past few hours as the Israeli occupation continues its aggression on the camps of the displaced
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: 38 were killed since dawn on Saturday, as the Israeli occupation army targeted aid seekers at distribution sites
Palestinian Red Crescent: One martyr, several injuries among our teams after the occupation bombed the association's headquarters in al-Amal neighborhood, west of Khan Younis.

Trump's sweeping travel ban on 12 countries goes into effect

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 9 Jun 2025 12:19
4 Min Read

Donald Trump’s new travel ban blocks or restricts citizens from nearly two dozen countries, mainly in Africa and West Asia.

Listen
  • x
  • President Donald Trump attends the UFC 316 mixed martial arts event Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey (AP)
    President Donald Trump attends the UFC 316 mixed martial arts event Saturday, June 7, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. (AP)

A broad new travel restriction signed by Donald Trump officially went into effect at midnight on Monday, barring or limiting entry into the United States for citizens of nearly two dozen countries, primarily in Africa and the Middle East, reigniting debate over the president’s immigration agenda and its global impact.

This latest measure, enacted more than eight years after Trump’s original travel ban triggered mass protests and legal battles, marks a significant expansion in scope. Citizens from 12 nations: Afghanistan, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, the Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, are now subject to a full entry ban. Partial restrictions will apply to travelers from seven other countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

Legal analysts have noted that unlike Trump’s initial 2017 executive order, which was widely condemned as a “Muslim ban” and eventually reshaped by the courts, this new directive is broader and crafted with language that may shield it from similar legal vulnerability.

Trump faces limited backlash

Despite its sweeping implications, the rollout of the new ban has so far been met with limited public outcry. It comes amid heightened tensions over Trump’s hardline immigration tactics, including his controversial use of the National Guard in Los Angeles following a wave of protests against renewed deportation raids.

Related News

Notorious Palantir lands record $10bln contract with the US Army

Another US citizen killed by Israeli settler attack in West Bank

The latest proclamation includes Haiti, a majority-Christian nation that Trump vilified during his earlier presidential campaign, even promoting a discredited conspiracy theory that Haitian immigrants were responsible for bizarre acts of cruelty in the US. The inclusion of Venezuela, where Trump’s administration recently faced backlash over deportations to a notorious prison in El Salvador, has also drawn renewed scrutiny.

Critics say the policy will disproportionately impact African countries, cutting off avenues for students, professionals, and families. Mikhail Nyamweya, a foreign policy expert, has warned that the ban may institutionalize “a perception of Africans as outsiders in the global order.”

Humanitarian groups echoed that concern. “This policy is not about national security – it is about sowing division and vilifying communities that are seeking safety and opportunity in the United States,” said Abby Maxman, president of Oxfam America.

While five of the restricted countries, such as Equatorial Guinea and Myanmar, are not Muslim-majority, the list largely targets non-white populations from the Global South, reviving accusations that racial and religious bias continue to shape Trump’s immigration priorities.

Notably, the new order does not invalidate visas already issued before the policy took effect. However, new applicants from listed countries face near-certain rejection unless they meet a narrow set of exceptions, according to guidance issued Friday to US embassies and consulates.

Colorado attack cited as pretext

In a social media video posted Wednesday, Trump defended the ban as a national security measure, arguing that many of the affected countries have weak screening systems or refuse to repatriate citizens. He also linked the policy to a recent violent incident in Colorado, where the suspect, an Egyptian national who overstayed a tourist visa, is not from one of the listed countries. Authorities alleged that Soliman was in the US illegally and had filed for asylum three years earlier, in 2022.

Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, condemned the move: “The impact of the ban will once again be felt by Americans who were denied the ability to see their loved ones at weddings, funerals, or the birth of a child.”

In a related move, Trump also suspended visas for international students enrolling at Harvard University, claiming the institution represents a “liberal stronghold” with “un-American values.” The visa suspension at Harvard is expected to face legal scrutiny.

  • United States
  • Donald Trump
  • Trump travel ban

Most Read

A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025
An Israeli tank explodes following an ambush by al-Qassam Brigades in Gaza, Occupied Palestine, undated (Al-Qassam Military Media)

Al-Qassam strikes Israeli vehicles in Gaza, inflicts casualties

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025
UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

UAE lodges complaint against Israeli ambassador over 'misbehavior'

  • Politics
  • 1 Aug 2025
An explosion seen during an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

If Iran is attacked again, geography of response may change: IRGC spox

  • Politics
  • 30 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Starved, shot, bombed, 'Israel' finds no fault
Politics

'Israel' closes 88% of war crimes cases without charges: Watchdog

Alex Karp, CEO of the software firm Palantir Technologies, arrives as then Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, convenes a closed-door gathering of leading tech CEOs, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 (AP)
Technology

Notorious Palantir lands record $10bln contract with the US Army

‘March for humanity’: Protesters brave rain for Gaza on Sydney bridge
Politics

‘March for humanity’: Protesters brave rain for Gaza on Sydney bridge

A Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) fighter stands in guard during a gathering to celebrate Nowruz, Kurdish New Year, in Qamishli, northeastern Syria, Friday March 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

SDF asserts 'right to retaliate' against strikes near Deir Hafer

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS