ENHANCING NATIONAL SECURITY WITH LOGICAL DATA-BASED RESTRICTIONS: On this day, President Donald J. Trump has enacted a Proclamation aimed at reinforcing entry restrictions for nationals from countries that struggle with critical deficiencies in screening, vetting, and information sharing—an effort to safeguard the nation from potential threats to both national security and public safety.
- The Proclamation maintains the full restrictions on nationals from the initial 12 high-risk countries outlined in Proclamation 10949: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- It introduces full entry restrictions on an additional five countries, following recent assessments: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, and Syria.
- Furthermore, it imposes full restrictions on individuals holding travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.
- It also escalates restrictions on Laos and Sierra Leone, which were previously under partial limitations.
- Partial restrictions remain for nationals from four of the original seven high-risk countries: Burundi, Cuba, Togo, and Venezuela.
- Notably, Turkmenistan has made substantial progress in its cooperation with the United States, leading to the lifting of the ban on nonimmigrant visas for its nationals, while the suspension of immigrant entry remains in place.
- The Proclamation further extends partial restrictions to 15 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
- Exceptions are included for lawful permanent residents, current visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, as well as individuals whose entry aligns with U.S. national interests.
- It narrows the broad family-based immigrant visa exemptions that have been associated with fraud risks, while still allowing for case-by-case waivers.
PROTECTING OUR BORDERS AND INTERESTS: These restrictions and limitations are deemed essential to prevent the entry of foreign nationals for whom the United States lacks adequate information to evaluate associated risks. This initiative aims to foster cooperation with foreign governments, uphold immigration laws, and further essential foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.
- The President is committed to ensuring that those seeking to enter the country pose no harm to American citizens.
- In consultation with cabinet officials and based on an array of reports, including Executive Order 14161 and Proclamation 10949, President Trump has concluded that limiting entry from additional countries is paramount to protecting U.S. national security and public safety.
- The country-specific restrictions aim to promote cooperation with the affected nations while recognizing their unique contexts.
- Many restricted countries grapple with rampant corruption, unreliable civil documentation, and ineffective birth registration systems, all of which hinder accurate vetting.
- Some nations are reticent to share passport samples or law enforcement data, while others allow Citizenship-by-Investment schemes that obscure identity and bypass necessary vetting processes.
- High rates of visa overstays and a reluctance to repatriate individuals demonstrate a disregard for U.S. immigration laws, which in turn burdens American enforcement resources.
- The presence of terrorist and criminal activity in several of the listed countries creates an environment of instability, directly impacting the vetting abilities and posing risks to American citizens when individuals from these nations are admitted.
MAKING AMERICA SAFE AGAIN: In fulfilling his commitment, President Trump is reinstating travel restrictions on nations deemed dangerous to bolster border security.
- During his first term, President Trump instituted travel restrictions targeting several nations with inadequate vetting processes or significant security threats.
- The Supreme Court upheld these travel restrictions, affirming that they fall within the Presidential authority and serve legitimate purposes, specifically to prevent the entry of nationals who cannot be thoroughly vetted and to encourage better practices among other nations.
- In June 2025, President Trump restored the travel restrictions from his first term, reflecting an updated review of current global screening and security risks.
RATIONALE FOR FULL SUSPENSION
Burkina Faso
- The Department of State reports ongoing terrorist activities in Burkina Faso. The Fiscal Year 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 9.16 percent and an alarming student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa overstay rate of 22.95 percent, alongside historical refusals to accept back removable nationals.
Laos
- The Overstay Report reveals a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 28.34 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 11.41 percent. Previous data indicated an even higher B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 34.77 percent, with Laos also having a history of declining to accept back its removable nationals.
Mali
- According to the Department of State, armed conflict and the free operation of terrorist organizations are prevalent in Mali.
Niger
- The Department of State indicates that terrorists are actively planning kidnappings, posing significant threats throughout Niger. The Overstay Report shows a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 13.41 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 16.46 percent.
Sierra Leone
- The Overstay Report reflects a B-1/B-2 overstay rate of 16.48 percent and a staggering F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83 percent, with a consistent failure to accept back removable nationals.
South Sudan
- Reports indicate a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 6.99 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 26.09 percent, compounded by a historical reluctance to accept back removable nationals.
Syria
- As Syria emerges from civil unrest, it continues to struggle with inadequate central authority for passport issuance and civil documentation, with ineffective screening measures. The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 7.09 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 9.34 percent.
Palestinian Authority Documents
- Active U.S.-designated terrorist groups in the West Bank and Gaza Strip have been responsible for the deaths of American citizens. The recent conflict in these regions has likely compromised vetting capabilities, leading to the conclusion that individuals traveling on PA-issued documents cannot currently be accurately vetted for entry into the United States.
RATIONALE FOR PARTIAL SUSPENSION (Immigrants and Nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J Visas)
Angola
- The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 14.43 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.92 percent.
Antigua and Barbuda
- Antigua and Barbuda has a history of Citizenship by Investment programs without residency requirements.
Benin
- According to the Overstay Report, Benin had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 12.34 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 36.77 percent.
Côte d’Ivoire
- The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 8.47 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 19.09 percent.
Dominica
- Dominica has historically offered Citizenship by Investment programs without residency.
Gabon
- The Overstay Report shows a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 13.72 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.77 percent.
The Gambia
- The Overstay Report reveals a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 12.70 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 38.79 percent, with a historical unwillingness to accept back removable nationals.
Malawi
- The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 22.45 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 31.99 percent.
Mauritania
- The Overstay Report shows a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 9.49 percent. The Department of State highlights limited government presence in some regions, complicating screening and vetting efforts.
Nigeria
- Radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State operate freely in specific areas of Nigeria, posing significant challenges for screening and vetting. The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 5.56 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 11.90 percent.
Senegal
- The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 4.30 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 13.07 percent.
Tanzania
- The Overstay Report shows a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 8.30 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 13.97 percent.
Tonga
- The Overstay Report reflects a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 6.45 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 14.44 percent.
Turkmenistan
- Since the issuance of Proclamation 10949, Turkmenistan has engaged positively with the United States, showcasing significant advancements in its identity management and information-sharing practices.
- As a result, the suspension of entry for Turkmen nationals on nonimmigrant B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas will be lifted, although concerns remain regarding immigrant entry.
Zambia
- The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 10.73 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.02 percent.
Zimbabwe
- The Overstay Report indicates a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 7.89 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 15.15 percent.
