President Donald Trump’s new travel ban started just after midnight on Monday. It stops people from 12 countries from coming to the United States. This travel ban is similar to one he made during his first term as president.
The ban is meant to tighten rules on immigration and make it harder for refugees to enter the country. Many of the countries affected have bad relationships with the U.S., like Iran and Afghanistan. Others, like Haiti and Libya, are dealing with serious problems.
Trump said the ban was a response to a recent attack on Jewish protesters in Colorado. The attacker was a man who had stayed in the U.S. longer than his visa allowed. Trump said this attack showed the risks of letting in people who are not properly checked or who overstay their visas.
The countries fully banned from traveling to the U.S. are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.
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There is also a partial ban for travelers from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Some temporary work visas will still be allowed from these countries.
Trump warned that more countries might be added to the list as new threats appear.
Many people, like Mehria, a young woman from Afghanistan, say the ban has left them unsure about their future. Mehria said they gave up a lot of hope based on promises from America, but now they are suffering.
The ban will not affect athletes competing in the 2026 World Cup or the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Diplomats from the banned countries are also excluded.
The United Nations and many U.S. lawmakers have criticized the ban. They say it is harsh and may break international laws. Some call it unfair and racist.
The ban came after rumors following the Colorado attack. The attacker, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, was an Egyptian who stayed in the U.S. illegally but had applied for asylum. Notably, Egypt is not included in the ban.
Trump’s order says countries like Afghanistan and Libya cannot properly check passports or vet travelers. Iran is banned because the U.S. calls it a state sponsor of terrorism. Other countries are banned because many travelers from there tend to overstay their visas.
