US President Donald Trump announced a new travel restriction that targets 12 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran and Yemen, according to foreign media reports.
Trump said that an improvised flamethrower attack on a Jewish demonstration in Colorado, which US officials attributed to a guy they claimed was in the country illegally, was the impetus behind the legislation.
The action prohibits citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen from traveling to the United States in any capacity.
Trump also imposed a partial ban on travellers from seven countries: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Some temporary work visas from these countries will be allowed.
The bans go into effect on Monday, the White House said.
“The recent terror attack in Boulder, Colorado has underscored the extreme dangers posed to our country by the entry of foreign nationals who are not properly vetted,” Trump said in a video message from the Oval Office posted on X.
However, Trump’s order stated that athletes participating in the 2026 World Cup, which the US is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics would not be subject to the ban.
Trump intensified his war on what he views as a bastion of liberalism on Wednesday by announcing a suspension on visas for international students who are scheduled to start attending Harvard University.
The US president likened the latest restrictions to the “powerful” ban he placed on many mostly Muslim nations during his first term, which disrupted travel all across the world.
According to Trump, the 2017 ban prevented the US from experiencing terror assaults in Europe.
Trump declared, “We will not allow what transpired in Europe to occur in America.” “Open migration from any nation where we are unable to safely and reliably vet and screen is not an option.”
