Trump Imposes New Travel ban on 12 Nations, Citing Security Concerns
Islamabad, June 6 – U.S. President Donald Trump announced a fresh travel ban on Wednesday, barring entry to nationals from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Yemen, in a move reminiscent of his earlier immigration policies.
The decision follows a recent Molotov cocktail attack at a Jewish rally in Colorado, which U.S. officials attributed to an individual allegedly residing in the country unlawfully.
Under the new restrictions, citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen will be prohibited from traveling to the U.S. Additionally, partial bans will apply to visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela, though certain temporary work visas will remain available.
The White House confirmed the measures will take effect Monday.
In a video statement posted on X from the Oval Office, Trump emphasized national security concerns, stating, “The terror attack in Boulder highlights the grave risks posed by inadequately vetted foreign nationals. We will not allow such threats to endanger Americans.”
Exceptions will be made for athletes participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, as well as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
In a related move, Trump also suspended visas for incoming foreign students at Harvard University, escalating his campaign against institutions he perceives as liberal strongholds.
Drawing parallels to his 2017 travel ban—which targeted several Muslim-majority nations—Trump defended the policy, claiming it had prevented terror attacks similar to those seen in Europe. “We will not let Europe’s security failures become America’s,” he asserted.
Venezuela condemned the restrictions, countering that the U.S. itself poses safety risks for travelers.
The latest ban has reignited debates over immigration and national security, echoing the controversies of Trump’s first term. (Monitoring Desk)
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