Trump Travel Ban Takes Effect Amid Nationwide Protests

President Donald Trump's new travel ban took effect, restricting entry from 12 countries, mainly in Africa and the Middle East, with additional partial restrictions on seven others, sparking protests at Los Angeles International Airport and other locations. Trump defended the ban as a necessary national security measure, citing inadequate passport verification and high visa overstay rates in the affected countries, but critics including the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned it as targeting Muslims and criticized its harsh impact on refugees and immigrants. California officials, including Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, opposed Trump's deployment of the National Guard to respond to immigration-related protests, calling it an unnecessary escalation and announcing plans to sue the administration. The ban was implemented more smoothly than earlier versions, reflecting adjustments to withstand legal challenges, with previously issued visas remaining valid but most new applicants from the listed countries facing denials unless qualifying for narrow exemptions. While the administration framed the policy as a security enhancement, opponents argued it was retaliatory and discriminatory, exacerbating tensions in affected communities. These events unfolded amid broader criticism of the Trump administration's policies and leadership across federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health, where employees protested perceived harmful governance.