Trump's New Travel Ban Takes Effect on June 9

President Trump signed a proclamation on Wednesday barring travelers and immigrants from 12 countries and restricting the entry of nationals from seven other nations, citing national security concerns. The ban takes effect on Monday, June 9, at 12:01 a.m. and applies to foreigners from 12 countries seeking to come to the U.S. permanently or temporarily, including tourists. The 12 countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The seven countries with restricted entry are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. There are exceptions to the ban, including for U.S. permanent residents, spouses and children of U.S. citizens, Afghans with special visas, diplomats, and certain athletes and individuals involved in adoptions. The president cited a recent attack in Boulder, Colorado, as part of the justification for the bans, and said the list could be revised if countries make "material improvements." This is not the first travel ban issued by Trump, as he previously issued a series of travel bans during his first administration that were subject to lawsuits, but ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.

President Trump signed a proclamation barring travelers and immigrants from 12 countries and restricting entry for nationals from another 7, citing US national security interests, effective June 9. The 12 countries with full travel restrictions are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The 7 countries with partial restrictions are Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Exemptions include US permanent residents, spouses and children of US citizens, diplomats, and certain others, such as Afghans with special visas and athletes participating in major sporting events.

Despite not being on the list of countries affected by President Trump's new travel ban, South Africans are experiencing anxiety and worry about traveling to the US due to the uncertainty and fear of being denied entry or detained. The travel ban targets nationals from 12 countries in Africa and the Middle East, including seven African nations, and has been met with criticism and concern from African leaders and critics who argue that it will harm people-to-people ties and diplomatic relations. The announcement has also raised concerns among those waiting in line outside the US Consulate in Johannesburg, who are already facing a lengthy and difficult visa application process.

US President Donald Trump's travel ban prohibits people from seven African countries from entering the US and imposes partial restrictions on three others, compounding harm from US aid cuts and potentially damaging US-Africa ties. The ban affects countries including Chad, Somalia, and Sudan, with critics arguing it perpetuates stereotypes and deepens inequality. A proposed 3.5% tax on remittances under Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act could also severely impact the GDP of many African nations, which rely heavily on diaspora remittances. Some Africans have expressed feelings of despair, while others are unbothered, and some countries have responded with reciprocal actions, such as Chad suspending the issuance of visas to US citizens.