Trump’s New Travel Ban: Who’s Impacted and What to Know?

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On June 9, 2025, President Trump’s new travel ban took effect, blocking or limiting entry of nationals from 19 countries with limited exceptions. Framed as a national security measure, the order expands on his earlier bans, targeting nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates or those with limited cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement.

Who is Impacted?

Full Suspension on 12 Country Nationals

Effective June 9th the travel ban suspends the entry of both immigrants and non-immigrants from 12 designated countries who are outside the United States and do not have a valid visa on the effective date of the proclamation, including Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

However, several key exceptions apply for lawful permanent residents (LPRs), immediate family members of U.S. citizens, dual nationals, athletes and teams competing in major international sporting events such as the World Cup and the Olympics, and others (a full list of exceptions is provided below).

Partial Suspension on 7 Country Nationals

A separate provision of Trump’s travel ban also imposes heightened visa restrictions on nationals from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela who are outside of the United States and don’t hold a valid visa.

For individuals from these countries, entry into the U.S. is suspended for both immigrant and nonimmigrant travelers holding B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, or J visas. Consular officers are directed to limit the validity of any other nonimmigrant visas issued to these nationals to the extent permitted by law.

Exceptions to the Travel Ban

The ban does not extend to the categories of immigrants listed below and explicitly states that both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas issued prior to the order’s enactment will remain valid and will not be revoked.

Exceptions to the travel ban:

The travel ban does not affect:

  • U.S. permanent residents
  • Dual nationals of designated countries when they are traveling on a nondesignated country passport.
  • Individuals entering with immediate relative immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1; IR-2/CR-2, IR-5).
  • Athletes, coaches, “persons performing a necessary supporting role, and immediate relatives traveling” for major sporting events as determined by the secretary of state.
  • Individuals entering the United States with certain other immigrant visas:
    • adoption (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);
    • Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;
    • Special Immigrant Visas for U.S. Government employees; and
    • “immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.”
  • Exceptions determined by the attorney general, in coordination with the secretary of state and the secretary of homeland security for foreign nationals whose travel is determined to “advance a critical United States national interest involving the Department of Justice.”
  • Foreign nationals whose travel is to serve a U.S. national interest, as determined by the secretary of state, in coordination with the secretary of homeland security.
  • Asylees and refugees already admitted to the United States.
  • Foreign nationals granted withholding of removal or protection under the Convention against Torture (CAT).

Duration of the Travel Ban

Within 90 days of the date of the proclamation (September 2nd), and every 180 days thereafter, heads of government agencies must report to the President, recommending whether the suspensions should be continued, terminated, modified, or supplemented.

Pending Consular Visa Interviews

Immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants from the affected countries whose applications have been approved but have not yet received their visas will be denied, according to a diplomatic cable sent to Consulates and Embassies.

Unless an applicant meets narrow criteria for requesting an exemption to the ban, his or her application will be rejected effective June 9th.

Nationals with Existing Visas

A diplomatic cable obtained by the Associated Press indicates that individuals from the affected countries who already hold valid visas should not encounter any problems entering the United States on or after June 9th.

Impact on Nationals Inside the United States

The travel ban does not:

  • Restrict change or extension of status applications filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  • Revoke existing visas or work authorization status for foreign nationals currently in the United States

Conclusion

The June 9th travel ban marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, with broad implications for affected countries and individuals. As legal challenges and diplomatic responses unfold, the true impact of this executive action will become clearer. For now, travelers and their families face uncertainty, and immigration advocates continue to monitor the situation closely.

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