ENHANCING NATIONAL SECURITY WITH COMMON-SENSE MEASURES:
Today, President Donald J. Trump has taken a decisive step to shield the nation from foreign terrorist threats and other national security risks by signing a Proclamation aimed at regulating entry into the United States.
- Under Executive Order 14161, issued on January 20, 2025, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” national security agencies have conducted a thorough evaluation of the risks posed by various countries, particularly concerning terrorism.
- The Supreme Court’s ruling in Trump v. Hawaii affirmed the President’s authority to implement entry restrictions as a protective measure under section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
- The Proclamation enforces a full restriction on nationals from 12 countries identified as having inadequate screening processes and posing a high risk to U.S. security: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
- Additionally, the Proclamation imposes partial entry restrictions on nationals from 7 countries deemed to present elevated risks: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
- Exemptions are provided for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories, and individuals whose entry benefits U.S. national interests.
PROTECTING OUR BORDERS AND INTERESTS:
The restrictions outlined in the Proclamation are deemed essential for fostering cooperation with foreign governments, enforcing immigration laws, and advancing key foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.
- It is the President’s fundamental responsibility to act in a manner that protects the American populace from potential harm.
- After consulting a report from the Secretary of State and other cabinet members, President Trump concluded that limiting entry from specific countries is vital for safeguarding U.S. national security and public safety.
- The targeted restrictions are designed to encourage collaboration with affected countries, acknowledging the unique circumstances of each nation.
- Some listed countries exhibit inadequate screening and vetting mechanisms, which obstruct the U.S. from identifying potential threats prior to entry.
- Certain nations demonstrate high visa overstay rates, indicating a blatant disregard for U.S. immigration regulations and placing additional strain on enforcement frameworks.
- Moreover, several countries fail to cooperate in sharing critical identity and threat information, thus undermining effective immigration vetting processes.
- Some nations harbor significant terrorist activities or are sponsors of terrorism, directly endangering U.S. national security.
- A number of these countries have historically refused to repatriate their nationals who are subject to removal, complicating U.S. immigration management efforts.
RESTORING SAFETY IN AMERICA:
President Trump is fulfilling his commitment to reinstate the travel ban and reinforce border security measures.
- President Trump stated, “We will restore the travel ban, often referred to as the Trump travel ban, to keep radical Islamic terrorists out of our nation, as upheld by the Supreme Court.”
- During his first term, he successfully enacted a travel ban targeting nations with inadequate vetting processes or significant security threats.
- The Supreme Court confirmed the legality of the travel ban, emphasizing it falls within the President’s authority and is founded on valid rationale.
- This current Proclamation builds upon the previous travel ban while integrating an updated evaluation of global security risks and vetting practices.
RATIONALE FOR FULL SUSPENSION BY COUNTRY
Afghanistan
- Under Taliban control, Afghanistan has no competent authority to issue passports or civil documents, lacking appropriate screening and vetting procedures. The Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Homeland Security Entry/Exit Overstay Report indicates a 9.70% overstay rate for B1/B2 visas and 29.30% for student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visas.
Burma
- The Overstay Report shows a 27.07% overstay rate for B1/B2 visas and 42.17% for F, M, and J visas. Furthermore, Burma has historically failed to cooperate with the U.S. regarding the repatriation of their nationals.
Chad
- Chad’s overstay rates are alarming, with 49.54% for B1/B2 visas and 55.64% for F, M, and J visas in 2023, indicating a significant disregard for U.S. immigration laws.
Republic of the Congo
- The Republic of the Congo has a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 29.63% and 35.14% for F, M, and J visas, raising concerns about compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Equatorial Guinea
- Equatorial Guinea exhibits a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 21.98% and a staggering 70.18% for F, M, and J visas, further complicating U.S. immigration enforcement.
Eritrea
- The U.S. has concerns about Eritrea’s ability to issue travel documents and criminal records. The Overstay Report indicates a 20.09% overstay rate for B1/B2 visas and 55.43% for other visa categories.
Haiti
- Haiti has a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 31.38% and 25.05% for F, M, and J visas. The influx of illegal Haitian nationals during the Biden Administration poses additional risks related to overstay rates and national security.
Iran
- As a state sponsor of terrorism, Iran has consistently failed to cooperate with U.S. officials in identifying security threats and has not accepted back its removable nationals.
Libya
- Libya’s lack of a competent authority for issuing travel documents and its history of terrorism heighten the risks associated with admitting Libyan nationals into the U.S.
Somalia
- Somalia presents a unique challenge, characterized by inadequate governance and a substantial terrorist presence, making it a significant threat to U.S. national security.
Sudan
- Sudan’s inability to issue proper travel documents and its high overstay rates of 26.30% for B1/B2 visas and 28.40% for F, M, and J visas complicate U.S. immigration efforts.
Yemen
- Yemen lacks a competent authority for issuing passports and has been under U.S. military operations since January 20, 2025, further complicating its ability to manage travel documentation.
RATIONALE FOR PARTIAL SUSPENSION BY COUNTRY
Burundi
- Burundi’s B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 15.35% and F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.52% indicate a need for careful monitoring.
Cuba
- Cuba, a state sponsor of terrorism, shows a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 7.69% and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 18.75%, coupled with a lack of cooperation in sharing law enforcement information.
Laos
- Laos shows a concerning B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 34.77% and has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.
Sierra Leone
- Sierra Leone has a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 15.43% and a 35.83% rate for F, M, and J visas, complicating immigration enforcement.
Togo
- Togo’s overstay rates stand at 19.03% for B1/B2 visas and 35.05% for F, M, and J visas, necessitating scrutiny.
Turkmenistan
- Turkmenistan’s B1/B2 visa overstay rate is 15.35%, with a notable F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.74%.
Venezuela
- Venezuela continues to exhibit high overstay rates, with 9.83% for B1/B2 visas, coupled with a lack of cooperation in issuing travel documents.
