It’s like a remix — President Donald Trump has rebooted his travel ban. Effective Monday at 12:01 a.m., citizens from 12 countries are barred outright, and seven more face heightened vetting.
Among those locked out are Afghanistan, where nearly 14,000 refugees arrived in a 12-month span ending in September 2024, and Haiti, where gang violence controls 85% of Port-au-Prince. Iran remains included as a designated state sponsor of terrorism, while Libya, Sudan and Yemen are cited for ongoing civil conflict.
Also on the restricted list: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela — nations flagged for high visa overstay rates and uncooperative deportation practices.
The blanket policy raises questions: Will the move truly bolster security, or is it political theater scapegoating vulnerable populations?
