On June 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation titled "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats." The proclamation imposes new restrictions and limitations on the entry of nationals from specific countries, citing concerns over terrorism, national security, public safety, and inadequate information-sharing or identity-management protocols by foreign governments[1].

Key Provisions

Policy Rationale

• The proclamation asserts that effective screening and vetting of foreign nationals are essential to U.S. national security.
• It targets countries deemed deficient in providing adequate information for vetting or that have high visa overstay rates, weak document controls, or poor cooperation in accepting back their nationals[1].

Countries Subject to Full Entry Suspension

Entry of both immigrants and nonimmigrants from the following 12 countries is fully suspended: Afghanistan Burma (Myanmar) Chad Republic of the Congo Equatorial Guinea Eritrea

Haiti

Iran

Libya

Somalia

Sudan

Yemen

Reasons include high visa overstay rates, lack of competent authorities for document issuance, failure to share security information, and terrorist presence or control[1].

Countries Subject to Partial Entry Suspension

Entry as immigrants and as nonimmigrants on B-1/B-2 (business/tourist), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor) visas is suspended for nationals of: Burundi Cuba Laos Sierra Leone Togo Turkmenistan Venezuela For these countries, consular officers are also directed to reduce the validity of other nonimmigrant visas as permitted by law[1].

Scope and Exceptions

The restrictions apply only to foreign nationals from the listed countries who are outside the U.S. and do not have a valid visa as of the effective date (June 9, 2025)[1]. Exceptions include:

• Lawful permanent residents (green card holders)
• Dual nationals traveling on a non-designated country’s passport
• Holders of certain diplomatic and official visas
• Athletes and support staff for major sporting events
• Immediate family immigrant visas with clear evidence of identity and relationship
• Adoptions, Afghan and U.S. government special immigrant visas, and persecuted minorities from Iran
• Asylum seekers, refugees already admitted, and those granted protection under U.S. law are not affected[1]

Waivers and National Interest Exceptions

The Attorney General and Secretary of State may grant case-by-case exceptions for individuals whose travel advances critical U.S. interests[1].

Review and Adjustment

The Secretary of State, in consultation with other agencies, must regularly review and report on whether restrictions should be continued, modified, or lifted, and engage with affected countries to improve compliance with U.S. security requirements[1].

Enforcement and Implementation

• No visas issued before the effective date will be revoked under this proclamation.
• The proclamation is to be implemented in accordance with U.S. law and does not create enforceable rights for individuals[1].

Effective Date

The proclamation takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT on June 9, 2025[1].

Conclusion

This proclamation marks a significant expansion of entry restrictions on foreign nationals from countries identified as posing heightened national security or public safety risks, either due to terrorism concerns, poor information-sharing, or high visa overstay rates. It provides for exceptions and waivers in specific circumstances and mandates ongoing review and engagement with affected countries to address deficiencies[1]. Sources [1]  https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats/