New Immigration Executive Order by Trump Targets Citizens from 12 Nations

Executive Order Details

On June 8, 2025, President Donald Trump signed a new executive order that prohibits citizens from 12 countries from entering the United States. The order is set to take effect overnight, and it aims to tighten immigration controls under the premise of protecting the nation from foreign terrorists. This policy bears resemblance to similar measures enacted during Trump’s previous administration.

Justification for the Order

Trump justified the executive order by asserting that the affected nations harbor a significant presence of terrorists and fail to cooperate adequately on visa security matters. He cited these countries’ inability to verify traveler identities and maintain accurate criminal history records. Additionally, he pointed to high rates of visa overstays from these nations as a critical concern.

In making a further case for the restrictions, Trump referenced a recent incident in Boulder, Colorado, where an Egyptian national allegedly threw a molotov cocktail at pro-Israel demonstrators. Notably, Egypt is not included on the banned list, raising questions about the connection between this incident and the new immigration policy.

Countries Affected

The countries fully banned from entry into the U.S. under the new order include:

• Afghanistan
• Myanmar
• Chad
• Republic of Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Haiti
• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Yemen

Additionally, citizens from nine other countries-Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Lestart, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela-will face partial restrictions.

Political and Humanitarian Concerns

Reactions to the executive order have been swift and predominantly critical from Democratic lawmakers. Congressman Ro Khanna condemned the policy, calling it “draconian and unconstitutional,” emphasizing the right of individuals to seek asylum. There is particular concern for Afghan nationals who assisted American forces or worked on U.S. projects, many of whom are left in limbo and fear potential retribution from the Taliban upon their return.

International Repercussions

International responses have also emerged quickly. Chadian President Idriss Déby Itno announced a reciprocal ban on U.S. citizen visas in response to the executive order. In a statement on Facebook, he highlighted Chadian dignity and pride, indirectly referencing countries like Qatar that have provided Trump with substantial gifts in the past.

The new entry restrictions are part of a broader immigration policy from the Trump administration, raising questions about the implications for U.S. relations with the affected nations and the thousands of individuals whose futures are now uncertain