Trump Expands Travel Ban to 19 Countries

President Donald Trump announced an expanded travel ban that will restrict entry to the U.S. for nationals from 12 countries, mainly in Africa and the Middle East, including Afghanistan, Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Republic of Congo, Somalia, Sudan, Equatorial Guinea, and Yemen, while imposing heightened restrictions on citizens of seven additional nations such as Cuba and Venezuela. The policy, which takes effect Monday, now impacts 19 countries in total and is justified by the administration as a response to national security, terrorism concerns, and high visa overstay rates. Exceptions are provided for lawful permanent residents, those with existing visas, and certain special visa categories. Trump cited a recent terror attack in Colorado as a motivating factor, though Egypt, the suspect’s country, is not on the list. The ban has faced immediate criticism from immigrant advocacy groups and legal experts, who anticipate court challenges but note the policy is designed to withstand legal scrutiny. This move revives and expands on a similar travel ban from Trump’s first term.