New Travel Restrictions: What You Need to Know

The United States has once again tightened its travel rules. This time, citizens from 12 countries will face a complete ban on visiting the U. S. Those from seven other countries will encounter stricter entry conditions. The new rules kick in on Monday at 12:01 a. m. This advance notice should prevent the chaos that occurred in 2017. Back then, a similar policy was rolled out with little warning, causing confusion and disruption at airports across the nation. So, which countries are affected? The list includes Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. Visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela will also face tougher restrictions. The decision comes after a review of visa overstays. The Department of Homeland Security identified countries with high rates of visitors overstaying their visas. These countries were deemed to have "deficient" screening and vetting processes. Some of these nations also have a history of refusing to take back their own citizens. The move has sparked controversy. Some critics argue that it unfairly targets certain groups. For instance, including Afghanistan has upset those who have worked to resettle its people. Afghanistan was a major source of refugees, with about 14, 000 arrivals in a 12-month period through September 2024. The ban does make exceptions for Afghans on Special Immigrant Visas, typically those who worked closely with the U. S. government during the war. Haiti's inclusion is also notable. The country faces deepening poverty, hunger, and political instability. Gang violence is rampant, with armed groups controlling much of its capital, Port-au-Prince. The U. S. cited Haiti's high overstay rates and lack of central authority for its decision. The Iranian government has not yet reacted to the ban. The U. S. has labeled Iran a "state sponsor of terrorism, " allowing only those with existing visas or special visas for minorities facing persecution to enter. Other Middle Eastern countries on the list, like Libya, Sudan, and Yemen, are all in the midst of civil conflicts. Sudan is actively at war, while Yemen's conflict is largely at a standstill. Libya remains divided, with various armed factions vying for control. International aid groups and refugee organizations have criticized the new ban. They argue that it is not about national security but about dividing communities and vilifying those seeking safety and opportunity in the U. S. The new travel restrictions are the result of a January 20 executive order. This order required the departments of State and Homeland Security, along with the Director of National Intelligence, to assess countries' attitudes toward the U. S. and potential national security risks. During his first term, the president issued a similar ban in January 2017. This ban targeted seven predominantly Muslim countries and led to widespread confusion and chaos. Travelers were either barred from boarding flights or detained upon arrival. The order was later retooled and upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018. The initial ban affected various travelers and immigrants from Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, and Libya, as well as North Koreans and some Venezuelan government officials and their families. Defenders of the ban argue that it is about national security, not anti-Muslim bias. However, the president had previously called for a ban on Muslims during his first campaign.