Trump Revives Controversial Travel Ban, Targeting 19 Nations Amid Security Push

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a sweeping revival of one of his most contentious policies from his first term: a travel ban targeting citizens from 19 countries, with outright bans for 12 nations and enhanced restrictions on seven others. The new measures take effect Monday at 12:01 a.m., aimed at avoiding the chaotic airport scenes that erupted in 2017 during the rollout of his initial travel order.

The list of banned countries includes Afghanistan, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Haiti, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, and several African nations such as Eritrea and the Republic of Congo. A separate group—including Cuba, Laos, and Venezuela—faces heightened entry restrictions rather than full bans.

In a video statement, Trump tied the renewed policy to a recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. The suspect, an Egyptian national who overstayed a tourist visa, prompted Trump to cite national security risks posed by countries with high overstay rates or poor cooperation with U.S. screening protocols.

“We don’t want them,” Trump said bluntly, criticizing what he called “deficient” vetting procedures in affected nations. His order draws heavily from Homeland Security reports on visa overstays and countries’ willingness to repatriate their citizens.

The inclusion of Afghanistan has sparked outrage from veterans’ groups and refugee advocates. “To include Afghanistan — a nation whose people stood alongside American service members for 20 years — is a moral disgrace,” said Shawn VanDiver, chair of AfghanEvac. The order makes a narrow exception for Special Immigrant Visa holders.

Haiti’s addition marks a new move for Trump, who pointed to the country’s breakdown of law enforcement and its escalating gang violence. Port-au-Prince is now largely under gang control, according to UN reports.

Critics argue the policy is more about fearmongering than actual security. Oxfam America President Abby Maxman called it a “policy of division,” saying it unfairly targets those seeking safety and opportunity.

The renewed ban follows a January 20 executive order requiring federal agencies to assess threats linked to foreign nationals and report on countries deemed uncooperative or hostile.

While Trump maintains the move is grounded in national security, opponents see echoes of the so-called “Muslim ban” from 2017, which faced legal hurdles before a revised version was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018.