In the early days of my administration, I took decisive action to limit the entry of specific foreign nationals into the United States, aiming to thwart potential threats to national security and public safety. The Supreme Court has upheld these measures, affirming their legality. On January 20, 2025, I reinstated these effective policies through Executive Order 14161 (titled “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”) and further formalized them in Proclamation 10949 on June 4, 2025, which restricts the entry of foreign nationals deemed a risk to our nation.
The core principle guiding U.S. policy is clear: we must safeguard our citizens from foreign nationals who pose a threat of terrorism, incite hate crimes, or manipulate immigration laws for nefarious ends. With this in mind, we adopt a stance of heightened vigilance in visa issuance and immigration processes, ensuring that individuals who intend harm or seek to undermine our values are identified before they can enter our borders.
To bolster our nation’s security, as outlined in Executive Order 14161, the Secretary of State, in conjunction with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, has pinpointed countries where the screening and vetting information is alarmingly inadequate. This deficiency warrants either a full or partial suspension of admissions from these nations, as stipulated in section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1182(f). Thus, Proclamation 10949 was enacted to restrict entry from these countries, while also pressing for immediate cooperation on compliance with U.S. immigration and security standards.
Despite our outreach efforts, many of the identified countries still display significant shortcomings in their screening and vetting processes. For instance, at least one nation lacks hospital mechanisms to report births accurately, while rampant corruption enables easy procurement of civil documents, fostering an environment where any non-citizen can acquire necessary paperwork for a fee. In another case, crucial documents like marriage certificates are handwritten on flimsy paper, making them vulnerable to alterations, creating a thriving market for forged records. Such situations render it almost impossible for U.S. authorities to verify the authenticity of visa applications and assess potential criminal histories accurately.
Further complicating matters, we find that the criminal records from some countries are unreliable or difficult to access. In others, U.S. visas are misused as tools for illicit cross-border activities by corrupt officials and organized crime. Even the education sector in some nations has been co-opted into the fraud machine, offering falsified diplomas to individuals seeking student visas or scholarships. One country has even refused to provide passport exemplars, severely hampering our ability to spot fraudulent documents. Additionally, in many nations, the absence of formal documentation for life events significantly obstructs effective verification of basic biographical data. As a result, these countries warrant ongoing or renewed travel restrictions.
As our review continues, and considering the reactions from foreign nations to the initial proclamation, additional countries have been identified that fail to meet basic standards for tracking their nationals and sharing pertinent information with the United States. In one such country, only 40 percent of its territory remains under effective government control, severely limiting their ability to manage and monitor non-citizens. Corruption is rampant in several of these nations, while others face destabilization due to successful attempts to overthrow their governments, enabling terrorist groups to operate with impunity. Consequently, the lack of reliable documentation and corrupt governance raises serious concerns about the criminal enterprises that may accompany their nationals seeking entry into the U.S.
Reports from U.S. law enforcement indicate that foreign nationals from the aforementioned countries are frequently involved in serious crimes, including murder, terrorism, and human trafficking. Many of these nations rank among the highest for criminal activity, and the unreliability of foreign civil documents makes it challenging for U.S. authorities to evaluate the criminal backgrounds of these individuals.
Moreover, some countries offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) schemes without requiring residency, complicating our vetting processes. For example, a national from a restricted country could purchase citizenship from a different nation and then apply for a U.S. visa, thus circumventing the established restrictions. Historically, CBI programs have proven vulnerable to exploitation, enabling individuals to mask their identities and assets in an effort to bypass travel restrictions.
Additionally, foreign nationals from these regions have taken advantage of the U.S.’s historical generosity while violating immigration laws, often overstaying their visas. The Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report indicates alarmingly high overstay rates among nationals from various countries. Despite the incentives provided by my administration, such as the option to self-deport via the CBP Home app, we cannot overlook the need to enforce U.S. immigration laws and curtail the influx of individuals from countries characterized by high overstay rates and significant fraud.
Furthermore, Proclamation 10949 emphasizes narrowing the categorical exceptions outlined in previous proclamations to prevent exploitation by foreign nationals. Immigrant visas for family members of individuals already in the U.S. will no longer be treated as a broad exception, given the chronic vetting deficiencies that jeopardize national security. Family ties can serve as unique conduits for fraudulent or even terrorist activities, as evidenced by past incidents. Exempting most immigrant visa applicants from high-risk countries is inconsistent with our national security objectives and undermines efforts to drive compliance and improved vetting from these nations.
After careful consideration, I have decided to continue and adjust the limitations outlined in sections 2 and 3 of Proclamation 10949 regarding the entry of certain classes of foreign nationals. Additionally, I will impose new restrictions on other classes of foreign nationals as detailed below.
Consequently, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority granted by the Constitution and U.S. law, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, have determined that without the measures set forth in this proclamation, the entry of individuals described herein would be detrimental to the interests of the United States. Therefore, I hereby declare the following:
Section 1. Policy and Purpose.
(a) It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorism and other public safety threats. The protocols associated with visa adjudications and immigration processes are critical implementations of this policy, enhancing our ability to detect foreign nationals who may pose risks.
(b) The identity-management and information-sharing practices of foreign governments significantly affect the effectiveness of U.S. screening protocols. Foreign governments control their nationals’ identity and travel documentation, as well as the information shared with other governments regarding known or suspected terrorists.
Thus, it is the policy of the United States to take all necessary steps to encourage foreign governments to improve their identity-management and information-sharing protocols.
(c) Proclamation 10949 mandated the full restriction of entry for nationals from the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. It also called for partial restrictions on nationals from 7 additional countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. The proclamation instructed the Secretary of State, in consultation with relevant authorities, to engage these countries on compliance with U.S. security requirements.
(d) The Secretary of State was also directed to provide a report to the President regarding the assessment of these restrictions and whether they should be continued, modified, or terminated.
(e) Following this review, the Secretary of State recommended that entry restrictions remain in place for several countries, identifying additional nations that warrant suspensions due to inadequate vetting processes. These recommendations stem from the engagement efforts initiated in Proclamation 10949.
(f) In evaluating these recommendations, I consulted with relevant officials, considering foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism goals, as well as each country’s ability to manage its screening and vetting processes.
After reviewing these factors, I have determined that continued restrictions are necessary to prevent the entry of foreign nationals about whom we lack sufficient information to assess the risks they pose.
(g) As a result, I will fully restrict and limit the entry of nationals from the following 12 countries: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
(h) Additionally, I will fully restrict and limit entry from 7 more countries: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria. Restrictions will also apply to individuals using travel documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority.
(i) Partial suspensions will remain in effect for nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela, with modifications made to Turkmenistan’s restrictions.
(j) Further, partial suspensions will apply to nationals from 15 countries, including Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
(k) The restrictions outlined stem from the identity-management and information-sharing inadequacies identified in these countries, justifying the need for continued limitations on their nationals’ entry into the U.S.
Sec. 2. Continued Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.
The entry into the United States of nationals from the following countries remains suspended and limited as specified in Proclamation 10949:
- Afghanistan;
- Burma;
- Chad;
- Republic of the Congo;
- Equatorial Guinea;
- Eritrea;
- Haiti;
- Iran;
- Libya;
- Somalia;
- Sudan;
- Yemen.
Sec. 3. Continued Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.
The entry into the United States of nationals from the following countries continues to be suspended and limited:
- Burundi;
- Cuba;
- Togo;
- Venezuela.
Sec. 4. Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.
The entry into the United States of nationals from the following countries is hereby suspended:
- Burkina Faso
- Laos
- Mali
- Niger
- Sierra Leone
- South Sudan
- Syria
- Palestinian Authority Documents
Sec. 5. Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.
The entry into the United States of nationals from the following countries will be suspended and limited:
- Angola;
- Antigua and Barbuda;
- Benin;
- Côte d’Ivoire;
- Dominica;
- Gabon;
- The Gambia;
- Malawi;
- Mauritania;
- Nigeria;
- Senegal;
- Tanzania;
- Tonga;
- Turkmenistan;
- Zambia;
- Zimbabwe.
Sec. 6. Scope and Implementation of Suspensions and Limitations.
The aforementioned suspensions apply only to foreign nationals from the designated countries who:
- are outside the United States on the applicable effective date; and
- do not possess a valid visa on the applicable effective date.
Exceptions to these suspensions include:
- Lawful permanent residents;
- Dual nationals traveling on non-designated passports;
- Individuals traveling on specific nonimmigrant visas;
- Athletes and support staff attending major sporting events;
- Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. government employees;
- Visas for persecuted ethnic and religious minorities from Iran.
Case-by-case exceptions may be granted for individuals whose travel serves critical U.S. national interests, as determined by the Attorney General, Secretary of State, or Secretary of Homeland Security.
Sec. 7. Adjustments to and Removal of Suspensions and Limitations.
Within 180 days of this proclamation and every 180 days thereafter, a report will be submitted to the President regarding the status of these restrictions and whether they should be modified or continued.
Sec. 8. Enforcement.
The relevant authorities will collaborate with domestic and international partners to ensure effective implementation of this proclamation, adhering to all applicable laws and regulations.
Sec. 9. Severability.
This proclamation aims to advance U.S. national security interests. If any provision is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions will remain effective.
Sec. 10. Effective Date.
This proclamation takes effect at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on January 1, 2026.
Sec. 11. General Provisions.
This proclamation does not impair the authority of any executive agency or create enforceable rights against the U.S.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.
DONALD J. TRUMP
